impend

[im-pend]

verb (used without object)

1. to be imminent; be about to happen.

2. to threaten or menace.

   He felt that danger impended.

3. Archaic.,  to hang or be suspended; overhang (usually followed byover ).

impend

/ ɪmˈpɛnd /

verb

1. (esp of something threatening) to be about to happen; be imminent

2. rare,  (foll by over) to be suspended; hang

Other Word Forms

• superimpend verb (used without object)
• impendence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impend¹

First recorded in 1580–90, impend is from the Latin word impendēre to hang over, threaten. See im- ¹, pend

Word History and Origins

Origin of impend¹

C16: from Latin impendēre to overhang, from pendēre to hang

Example Sentences

Well, they just did, at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, complete with headaches, nausea and the shaky feeling of impending doom.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An enormous cocktail party was not on Ibsen’s itinerary—there is no jazz band in “Hedda Gabler”—but there was a similar sense of impending disaster, before and during the evening in question.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It's too early to say, but the reaction to recent bank earnings suggests markets view the issue as an item to watch, rather than an area of impending doom.

Read more on Barron's

But he looks generally solid and doesn't give the aura of some impending calamity when the ball gets near him.

Read more on BBC

Reports of an impending US-Russia leadership summit have been greatly exaggerated, it seems.

Read more on BBC