PENDING Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

pending 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of pending

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

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

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

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

City spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt declined to comment on the rulings, saying the lawsuits remain pending. — Ben Wheeler july 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026 Penguins pre-free agency re-signings The biggest pending unrestricted free agent for the Penguins going into this offseason was center and assistant captain Evgeni Malkin. — Patrick Damp, CBS News, 1 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

Adjective

The pattern looks unsettled into the weekend with spotty rain chances.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026
Boston is likely to kick off the next week with heavy rains on Monday before a single bright spot Tuesday is followed by more potentially unsettled days close out the week, according to National Weather Service forecasts.

— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsettled

Adjective

The tour is also dedicated to the upcoming 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence on August 24, linking Sasha’s personal story to the country’s ongoing fight for freedom.

— Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Teams have trained over the summer to be ready for the upcoming school year, APS police Chief Ronald Applin said.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of upcoming

Adjective

Despite their impending free-agent status, San Francisco landed fascinating pitching prospects in both deals.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
Next year’s qualifying offer is expected to be somewhere around $23 million, with a decision for both parties due before December’s impending lockout.

— C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of impending

Preposition

Foreign firefighting and helicopter crews are often deployed in Greece to help tackle wildfires during the country’s hot, dry summers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Yet, the show should see a sizable spike in ticket sales during the holiday season and in its final weeks of performances.

— Marc Hershberg, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of during

Adjective

This is a long-term problem the agency is working on, but remains unresolved.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The second option is the General Assembly’s annual fall veto session, a six-day stretch where lawmakers can consider vetoes, unresolved legislation and, at times, new bills.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of unresolved

Adjective

Earlier this month, Crump released the preliminary findings of an independent autopsy, which listed Wells’ cause and manner of death as undetermined pending further investigation.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Cornucopian, a 4-year-old son of Into Mischief, suffered an injury of undetermined severity nearing the quarter pole on the far turn and was pulled up by jockey Juan Hernandez.

— Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of undetermined

Adjective

As inflation skyrockets in Iran, many civilians will feel the bite of poverty and hardship in the coming months, said Hadi Kahalzadeh, economist and non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
The coming months will have an entirely new look, however, if reports are accurate.

— David Phelan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of coming

Browse Nearby Words

pendent

pending

pendulous

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Style

“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pending. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pending

adjective

preposition

Example Sentences

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