sense of impending doom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of impending doom" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or premonition of a negative event that is about to happen. Example: As the storm clouds gathered and the wind howled, I couldn't shake the sense of impending doom that weighed heavy on my chest. I knew that something terrible was about to happen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A dispiriting sense of impending doom has infected the marchers.

The New York Times

But there is an unsettling sense of impending doom.

Independent

But the sense of impending doom has been widespread.

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian - Tech

The weirdest part of it was this overwhelming sense of impending doom".

The New Yorker

I awoke at five the next morning with a sense of impending doom.

Independent

I remember the heavy sense of impending doom as my parents said goodbye.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tennis paradise had about it a sense of impending doom, which carried over onto the court.

The New Yorker

During a visit to Zimbabwe in November, I got a vivid sense of impending doom.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sense of impending doom every time Milan attacked largely evaporated.

The Guardian - Sport

"Do you ever wake up with a sense of impending doom?" asks Rura's Adam Holmes.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of impending doom" to effectively convey a feeling of unease and anticipation of negative outcomes in narratives or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of impending doom" in everyday situations where the feeling is disproportionate to the actual circumstances, as it can sound melodramatic or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of impending doom" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and frequently used expression. Its primary function is to describe a subjective feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of impending doom" is a correct and commonly used noun phrase that effectively conveys a feeling of unease and anxiety about a future event. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, overuse in casual situations can sound melodramatic. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments, and understanding the nuances of each can enhance writing precision. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to effectively convey the intended emotion or atmosphere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of approaching disaster

Emphasizes the emotional aspect and the imminence of a negative event.

ominous feeling

Highlights the threatening and inauspicious nature of the feeling.

dread of what's to come

Focuses on the intense fear and apprehension about future events.

premonition of calamity

Implies a strong intuitive feeling about a disastrous event.

anticipation of misfortune

Highlights the expectation of an unlucky or adverse event.

threat of imminent catastrophe

Stresses the danger and the nearness of a catastrophic event.

foreboding atmosphere

Focuses on the surrounding environment and its ominous qualities.

perception of coming crisis

Focuses on the awareness of an upcoming critical situation.

growing unease

Suggests a gradually increasing feeling of worry or anxiety.

air of expectation of bad things to come

This alternative is more descriptive and emphasizes the widespread feeling that something bad is about to happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of impending doom" to describe a feeling of unease or anxiety about a future event. For instance, "As the deadline approached, a "sense of impending doom" filled the team members".

What's a less dramatic way to describe a "sense of impending doom"?

Alternatives to "sense of impending doom" include "growing unease", "feeling of apprehension", or a "premonition of trouble" depending on the context.

Which is more appropriate: "sense of impending doom" or "feeling of impending doom"?

Both "sense of impending doom" and "feeling of impending doom" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference.

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

"Sense of impending doom" is a more general feeling of unease, while "sense of impending disaster" refers specifically to an intuition that a catastrophic event is about to occur.