With devils around, death is threatening (7)

I believe the answer is:

impends

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'with devils around death is threatening' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'with devils around death is' is the wordplay.
'with' indicates putting letters inside.
'devils' becomes 'imps' (devil-like creatures).
'around' indicates the central letters.
'death' becomes 'end' (synonyms).
The central letters of 'imps' are 'mp'.
'mp'+'end'='mpend'
'mpend' put into 'is' is 'IMPENDS'.

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(Other definitions for impends that I've seen before include "Threatens" , "Approaches" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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