imminent

/ˈɪmɪnənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪmɪnənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈi-mə-nənt/ (ame, mw)

imminent — adjective

  • imminentpositive
  • more imminentcomparative
  • most imminentsuperlative

1. used to describe a dangerous, important, or unavoidable event that feels so clos

1.形容詞C2
釋義

used to describe a dangerous, important, or unavoidable event that feels so close you expect it to happen at any moment — like a war before the first shot is fired, or a storm when the first drops are seconds away.

例句

A second earthquake was imminent — rescue workers warned it could strike within hours.

be + imminent + dash + time reference clause

With dark clouds gathering overhead, Leila knew a storm was imminent.

同義詞
  • impending

    strongly negative connotation; suggests something threatening is about to happen (closer to 'imminent' than other synonyms)

  • looming

    more visual and menacing; suggests the event appears large and threatening on the horizon

  • approaching

    more neutral; simply means getting nearer without the urgency or threat of 'imminent'

  • forthcoming

    neutral or positive; used for information, events, or opportunities that will happen soon

反義詞
  • distant

    far off in time; the opposite of 'close at hand'

  • remote

    very unlikely to happen soon, if at all

文法句型

be + imminent

seem/become/appear + imminent

imminent + noun

用法筆記

Typically describes serious or negative events — danger, war, disaster, collapse, or major change. Unlike 'likely' or 'soon', it suggests the event is so close it feels unavoidable. Common in news reports, formal announcements, and crisis situations.

常見錯誤

❌The bus arrival is imminent in three minutes.
✅The bus is about to arrive in three minutes.
💡Imminent is used for events of great importance or danger, not for routine scheduled events.
❌Imminent rain is possible next week.
✅Rain is imminent
💡take an umbrella now.' — Imminent means right now or very soon, not at some distant point.