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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pending
Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Many are asylum seekers, individuals admitted at the U.S.-Mexico border while seeking refuge, recipients of humanitarian parole, or even people with pending or approved applications for temporary protection from deportation.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
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
Adjective
As a pending unrestricted free agent, Borgen would likely net the Rangers the most return among any of their potential rentals.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Many are asylum seekers, individuals admitted at the U.S.-Mexico border while seeking refuge, recipients of humanitarian parole, or even people with pending or approved applications for temporary protection from deportation.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
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
Adjective
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But the biggest parts of the state budget remain unsettled.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2025
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Portions of the central U.S. will remain unsettled for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday with additional rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms sweeping through.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Designer and stylist Rachel Zoe, who starred in her own reality show on Bravo, The Rachel Zoe Project, from 2008 to 2013, is returning to the network in the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
7 June 2025
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Whether your plans during the upcoming months include traveling, working from home, or chasing your kids down at the park, there’s a fan for that.—
Jeaneen Russell,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Some Republicans still hope for a detente between the two men, although that seemed unlikely on Friday as Trump brushed off the idea of an impending makeup call.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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The Thunder do not claim that championship, which also might be out of deference to stealing into the night out of Seattle and perhaps also out of deference to the looming likelihood of an impending NBA return to Seattle.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
Preposition
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Will Smith was banned from the Oscars for ten years after slapping a fellow artist during a live broadcast.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
31 May 2025
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Tax Cuts and Tax Breaks in the Big Beautiful Bill Lowers Tax Brackets The new legislation makes the lower income tax rates created during the first Trump Administration in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent.—
Cindy McGhee,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Venus retrograde moving into your sign on the 27th may bring past connections or unresolved emotions back into focus.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
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Require senior leaders to engage directly with unfiltered feedback—real calls, raw comments, unresolved complaints.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Preposition
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Devastated by injuries throughout the year, the Gators were undermanned in the field and the bullpen with just one bench player available.—
Jackson Castellano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2025
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According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 24% of Americans regret one or more of their tattoos.—
Marie Lodi,
Allure,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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At this time, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it remains undetermined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2025
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But where the actual enrichment would take place is undetermined.—
Julian E. Barnes,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s tariffs are generating fresh uncertainty forecasters say will further curtail job growth in coming months.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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In coming days, crews will demobilize equipment, clear construction staging areas, test rail signals, and resurface and inspect the track.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pending. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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