impending defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impending defeat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when a failure or loss seems inevitable or on the horizon. For example, "The team's morale was dropping as they faced the impending defeat in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The impending defeat of Scottish unionists will at least provide that opportunity.

The Economist

It was a last-gasp victory, snatched from impending defeat in the most theatrical style.

The Guardian - Sport

John Higgins drew on bitter personal experience to transform impending defeat into one of the great Crucible comebacks.

The Guardian - Sport

By the 98th minute, Istomin seemed out of ideas, bowing his head in weary acknowledgement of his impending defeat as he sat in his chair during the changeover.

The New York Times

But what appalled Adams was not the impending defeat, but the deep and bitter antagonism between the officers of the Army of the Potomac and the Lincoln administration.

The New York Times

In rage at its impending defeat it is avenging itself on the Christians in Armenia for its moral and political failure.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Defeat Greevil.

WikiHow

But the evidence is mounting that an impending rebel defeat pushed Moscow to intervene more overtly in the past two weeks.

The Guardian

The impending devastating defeat coming for the Democrats this Tuesday, 2 November 2010, has forced Obama to come up for air, revealing his true self.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bulls figuring Obama a one-termer, that Gubernatorial results are harbinger of impending Democratic defeat and steadier defense spending, will have to recalibrate in the face of economic recovery.

Forbes

It is Trump's purpose to undermine the fair electoral process as a face-saving alibi for his impending electoral defeat.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impending defeat" to create a sense of tension or drama, emphasizing the anticipation of a negative outcome. It is particularly effective in narratives or reports where the outcome is not yet certain but seems highly probable.

Common error

Avoid using "impending defeat" in everyday conversations or informal writing. The phrase carries a weight and formality that may sound exaggerated or melodramatic in lighter contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impending defeat" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "impending" modifies the noun "defeat". It describes a situation where failure or loss is highly probable and imminent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impending defeat" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, predominantly in news and media contexts, to describe a situation where failure is highly probable and drawing near. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and common usage. While it's a potent phrase for creating tension and highlighting inevitability, overuse in casual settings should be avoided. Alternatives like "looming failure" or "inevitable loss" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using the phrase in your writing, consider the level of formality appropriate for your audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inevitable loss

Replaces "impending" with "inevitable" and "defeat" with "loss", highlighting the certainty of the negative outcome.

looming failure

Replaces "defeat" with "failure", emphasizing the unsuccessful outcome.

oncoming loss

Replaces "impending" with "oncoming" which refers to something that is about to happen and "defeat" with "loss", highlighting the negative outcome.

destined failure

Replaces "impending" with "destined" indicating that failure is predetermined and inevitable and "defeat" with "failure", emphasizing the unsuccessful outcome.

approaching downfall

Substitutes "defeat" with "downfall", suggesting a more significant and comprehensive loss.

threatening defeat

Changes "impending" to "threatening", emphasizing the menace and worry of a potential loss.

gathering failure

Replaces "impending" with "gathering", which suggests a growing sense of an approaching problem and "defeat" with "failure", emphasizing the unsuccessful outcome.

imminent collapse

Uses "collapse" instead of "defeat", implying a sudden and complete failure.

certain rout

Replaces "impending defeat" with a more decisive and overwhelming loss, "certain rout".

unavoidable setback

Employs "setback" to soften the impact of "defeat", suggesting a temporary rather than a permanent loss.

FAQs

How can I use "impending defeat" in a sentence?

You can use "impending defeat" to describe situations where failure seems highly likely. For example, "The general sensed the "impending defeat" of his troops as the enemy advanced".

What are some alternatives to saying "impending defeat"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "inevitable loss", "looming failure", or "approaching downfall".

Is "impending defeat" a formal or informal phrase?

"Impending defeat" is generally considered a more formal phrase, suitable for news reports, academic papers, or serious discussions. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "likely loss" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "impending defeat" and "potential defeat"?

"Impending defeat" suggests a higher degree of certainty and immediacy than "potential defeat". "Impending" implies that the defeat is very likely and will happen soon, while "potential" simply means that it's possible.