pendulous

adjective

pen·du·lous | \ ˈpen-jə-ləs

How to pronounce pendulous (audio)

, ˈpen-dyə-, -də- \

Definition of pendulous

1 archaic : poised without visible support

2a : suspended so as to swing freely branches hung with pendulous vines

b : inclined or hanging downward pendulous jowls

3 : marked by vacillation, indecision, or uncertainty

Other Words from pendulous Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about pendulous

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Examples of pendulous in a Sentence

a cow with a pendulous udder a pendulous crystal chandelier dominated the ballroom

Recent Examples on the Web Aerial photos show that the platform likely made a pendulous swing into a nearby rock face. — Nadia Drake, Science, "Iconic radio telescope suffers catastrophic collapse," 1 Dec. 2020 Weeping white pine: Its pendulous branches and dwarf stature are quite appealing. — oregonlive, "This Christmas, it’s all about the trees, whether fresh, potted or artificial: The Pecks," 3 Dec. 2020 If tower four fails, the platform could either crash through the dish or make a pendulous swing into a nearby cliff. — Nadia Drake, National Geographic, "Iconic radio telescope in Puerto Rico is at risk of collapsing," 12 Nov. 2020 Kent Beauty is a small, mounding plant with pendulous stems ending in these strange blooms, which endure for weeks. — Washington Post, "Hunting for herbs that add flavor in the kitchen and beauty in the garden," 5 Feb. 2020 Consisting of three pendulous forms made of netting (Echelman’s oeuvre is inspired by watching net makers on a beach in India years ago), the shapes subtly move with air currents in the terminal. — Erika Mailman, Washington Post, "Airport art doesn’t have to be boring: Here are some of the country’s most striking examples," 6 Mar. 2020 The Rays, again getting by on their wits and wiggling into playoff contention by winning more with less this season, came out of a pendulous game with a victory in their typically untypical fashion. — Hunter Atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Rays take see-saw battle from Astros to avoid sweep," 29 Aug. 2019 Growing 1-3 feet tall and wide, Gartenmeister fuchsia grows upright when young but becomes more pendulous with age. — Karen Dardick, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Summer blooms that can take the heat," 18 July 2019 There are just a few of us standing around while these big, bizarre creatures, whose pendulous noses hang down past their mouths, honk and roar at each other while bickering over guavas. — Christopher Bagley, Condé Nast Traveler, "Sailing the South China Sea Is the Best Way to See Southeast Asia," 15 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pendulous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near pendulous

penduline titmouse

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Cite this Entry

“Pendulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pendulous. Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for pendulous

pendulous

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of pendulous

formal + literary : hanging down and swinging freely

See the full definition for pendulous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pendulous

adjective

pen·du·lous | \ -ləs

\

Medical Definition of pendulous

: inclined or hanging downward

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