impending doom

USAGE SUMMARY

'impending doom' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an impending feeling of disaster or destruction. Example sentence: Her heart raced as she felt the impending doom of the confrontation ahead.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Impending doom?

The New York Times - Food

Or Moros, the spirit of impending doom?

The Guardian - Opinion

There's almost this feeling of impending doom.

The Guardian

He appears to warn inhabitants of impending doom.

The Economist

A dispiriting sense of impending doom has infected the marchers.

The New York Times

The overall sense I wanted to convey was impending doom.

Independent

"It was the clue to the impending doom," he says.

The New Yorker

But there is an unsettling sense of impending doom.

Independent

He has no thoughts of his impending doom.

The New York Times

So close to impending doom but surviving it.

The Guardian - Sport

"It represents that sense of impending doom," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impending doom" to create suspense or highlight the gravity of a situation in your writing. It's particularly effective when describing a character's internal feelings or the atmosphere of a scene.

Common error

Avoid using "impending doom" in situations that are only mildly concerning. Save it for scenarios where the stakes are genuinely high, or the feeling of dread is intense, to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impending doom" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes an approaching sense of disaster or a threatening, negative event. The Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

9%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impending doom" is a commonly used phrase that effectively communicates an approaching sense of disaster or threat. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its widespread use across different contexts. It functions as a noun phrase, primarily used to evoke feelings of unease or fear. The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal settings, although its impact is most significant when describing situations with genuine gravity. As highlighted by the examples from Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media, and Science. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending crisis

This alternative refers to a critical situation that is about to occur.

approaching catastrophe

This alternative emphasizes the disastrous nature of the event.

looming disaster

This alternative focuses on the threatening presence of the event.

looming threat

This alternative focuses on the dangerous aspect of something approaching.

gathering storm

This alternative evokes a sense of building tension and inevitable trouble.

imminent collapse

This alternative suggests a sudden and complete failure is near.

oncoming tragedy

This alternative refers to a deeply sorrowful event that is approaching.

foreseeable downfall

This suggests the negative outcome is predictable and unavoidable.

coming misfortune

This alternative is a more general term for an unfortunate event about to happen.

threat of annihilation

This alternative conveys a sense of total destruction.

FAQs

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

You can use "impending doom" to describe a feeling or situation, such as: "The dark clouds overhead gave a sense of "impending doom"." or "The company's financial troubles signaled "impending doom" for its employees".

What is a synonym for "impending doom"?

Synonyms for "impending doom" include "approaching catastrophe", "looming disaster", or "imminent collapse". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "impending doom" a formal or informal phrase?

"Impending doom" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though its impact is stronger when reserved for situations with genuine gravity. In less serious situations, consider using "coming misfortune" or similar alternatives.

What's the difference between "impending doom" and "impending disaster"?

While both phrases suggest a negative event is approaching, "impending disaster" typically refers to a specific event or situation. "Impending doom" can also refer to a more general feeling of dread or a sense that something terrible is about to happen, without necessarily pointing to a specific disaster.