imminence — the state of being about to happen; nearness in time
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the state of being about to happen; nearness in time
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɪmɪnəns/
Example Sentences
- The imminence of the deadline made him drink his tenth cup of coffee.
- She could sense the imminence of her mother's lecture about cleaning her room.
- The imminence of the economic crisis required immediate action.
imminence
NOUN[/ˈɪmɪnəns/]
the state of being about to happen; nearness in time

Sailors brace as the imminence of the storm becomes impossible to ignore.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Imminence derives from Latin imminentia, meaning 'hanging over' or 'threatening from above'. The word originally described something suspended dangerously overhead, metaphorically expressing an impending event that seems about to occur at any moment.
Breakdown
im- (on, upon) + minere (to project, hang over, threaten) + -ence (state or quality of). The root minere conveys the image of something jutting out or hanging threateningly.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The imminence of the deadline made him drink his tenth cup of coffee.”
“She could sense the imminence of her mother's lecture about cleaning her room.”
“The imminence of the economic crisis required immediate action.”
“The dark clouds suggested the imminence of a thunderstorm.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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