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
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
The cases against the two men charged in Gaddy's assault remain pending.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 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
Diddy is appealing his two criminal convictions, and with somewhere between 80 and 90 additional pending civil cases against him, the ex-superstar seems to have bigger problems than who owns which videotape.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
The cases against the two men charged in Gaddy's assault remain pending.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 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
-
Venezuela’s political situation remains unsettled.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Jan. 2026
-
When Nicolás Maduro assumed Venezuela’s presidency in 2013, the country was already deeply unsettled after years of political polarization under Hugo Chávez, marked by shrinking freedoms and violent crackdowns on dissent.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
John Mulaney has postponed three upcoming shows in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.—
Amy McCarthy,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The arbitration hearing will allow for both sides to receive a specific contractual figure if no settlement is reached in the upcoming weeks.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
So researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota developed a system that uses real-time signals to warn about impending issues.—
Michelle Fay Cortez,
Bloomberg,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, must investigate the history of the colony and attempt to save it from an impending disaster, all while struggling to survive in the harsh lunar environment devoid of oxygen.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Preposition
-
The accuser reported the assault during a doctor's appointment in December, according to court documents.—
Lori Dunn,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani named long-time civil rights advocate Christine Clarke as the commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights during a press conference Wednesday.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Critical details about troop deployments and military commitments remain unresolved, with several nations hesitant to pledge forces without domestic parliamentary approval.—
John Leicester,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Jordan Coleman steps in as Cheyenne Barnes, a bold hairstylist whose confidence masks years of unresolved pain, while Tunde Oyeneyin plays Madison Truitt, a driven entrepreneur navigating success, expectations, and the search for real partnership.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Christmas is fast approaching, and Kylie is still nowhere to be found.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC news,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Christmas Day is fast approaching.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
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,
10 Nov. 2025
-
With Cutting's cause and manner of death ruled undetermined in his autopsy, and negative toxicology results, Ryan believes geolocation data and other digital clues could shed more light on his final hours.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Be ready for possible aftershocks in the coming hours, days and even weeks.—
Pat Harvey,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sudd Cobas said that a group of union representatives and workers is expected to meet with Florence City Councilor Dario Danti in coming days.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pending. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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