pending 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of pendingnext
1
as in unsettled
not yet settled or decided a decision is pending about whether to buy computers or sports equipment with this money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in upcoming
being soon to appear or take place a pending review of your work so far this term

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence the sky darkened with a pending storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pending

2 of 2

preposition

ˈpen-diŋ How to pronounce pending (audio)
as in during
in the course of the government must continue to function pending negotiations for next year's budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pending
Adjective
Those charges remain pending, but the brothers were allowed to leave the country in February 2025 and headed to Florida. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 27 July 2026 Shiloh’s petition was successfully granted in August 2024, while Zahara’s and Maddox’s remain pending. — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Preposition
Judges have blocked Alabama's and Arkansas' measures from taking effect pending litigation. — Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2022 Since Sorokin is currently in Immigration and Enforcement custody pending deportation, the video interview happened in fits and starts because Cooper and Sorokin had to keep reconnecting on the phone when time was up. — Lisa Respers France, CNN, 17 Mar. 2022 See All Example Sentences for pending
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pending
  1. unsettled
  2. upcoming
  3. impending
  4. during
  5. unresolved
  6. approaching
  7. undetermined
  8. coming
Adjective
  • The pattern could remain a little unsettled into the weekend, but confidence in rain chances remains low.
    — Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The volume was another big shift, too, as Simpson has had a strikingly low number of reps in training camp despite the unsettled nature of the Rams’ backup quarterback position after Jimmy Garoppolo’s departure.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • The San Antonio Spurs’ schedule for the upcoming season includes games in France and England, with a league-high 34 appearances on national TV.
    — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The musician gave an update on her upcoming album — and opened up about a startling 2019 health scare.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of upcoming
Adjective
  • That's bittersweet for some people given the seasonal shift ahead, an impending change than can sour summer's last full month.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • As the impending launch crisis comes to the industry, questions have begun to swirl about whether the federal government might intervene to keep the Falcon rockets flying.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of impending
Preposition
  • Salvatore Allegra/Anadolu/Getty The man's death comes during a particularly active phase for the volcano, which is Europe's tallest and one of the world's most active.
    — Anna Matranga, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Broncos coach/Falcons villain/Bountygate co-conspirator Sean Payton took a shot at the home fans during a halftime interview on Friday.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of during
Adjective
  • The paper’s authors noted a handful of liability, reimbursement and regulatory hurdles remain unresolved and, as of now, won’t allow for non-human-doctors to administer care on their own.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Strategists warn that rock-bottom volatility, fresh stock market all-time highs and unresolved geopolitical risks are converging just as markets enter the historically stormy mid-August-to-mid-October stretch.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of unresolved
Adjective
  • Fall is fast approaching, but the Red Sox look like their spring selves again in the worst way.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Aug. 2026
  • While the deadline is fast approaching, Montour keeps working away.
    — Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of approaching
Adjective
  • Turner's manner of death remained listed as undetermined for years as investigators continued reviewing forensic evidence, witness statements and other records.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The project requires City Council approval at an undetermined date to rezone the property from an employment center zone to general commercial.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of undetermined
Adjective
  • And experts think such incidents could become increasingly common in the coming years, as exploration of the moon intensifies.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Bank of America, for example, is still calling for three rate increases in coming months.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of coming

Browse Nearby Words

pendent
pending
pendulous
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Cite this Entry

“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pending. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of pending for Spanish Speakers

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