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
Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
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
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
What Happens Next The New York requests remain pending, with a Monday deadline to respond to filings from victims, Epstein’s estate and Maxwell’s attorneys.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
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
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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San José Mayor Matt Mahan’s entry into the race on Thursday — relatively late to mount a gubernatorial campaign — exemplifies the unsettled nature of the race.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Space weather experts at NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and the UK Met Office say geomagnetic activity may fluctuate between unsettled levels and a minor G1 storm.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The Canes have another edge prospect in Akheem Mesidor, who led the ACC with 12 1/2 sacks and added 17 1/2 tackles for loss during Miami’s run to the national championship game.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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The drones targeted the power grid, which Russia has repeatedly bombarded during the coldest winter in years, and also hit five apartment blocks, officials said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Recent history suggests that bipartisan support at the outset does not guarantee a lasting deal, particularly when unresolved policy disputes remain.—
Ana Ceballos,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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At the same time, Pisces season brings awareness to your seventh house, pulling partners, exes and unresolved dynamics into focus.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Texas' March primaries are right around the corner, which means the deadline to register to vote is fast approaching.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
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The self-assessment tax deadline is fast approaching, but landlords and the self-employed will soon have new HMRC requirements to follow – known as Making Tax Digital.—
Marc Shoffman,
TheWeek,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Authorities say her cause and manner of death are still undetermined.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
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The issue is often a matter of pain tolerance, and a timeline for Herro’s return currently remains undetermined.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Southwest’s executives are set to face questions from investors in a call on Thursday morning about the cost of the storm, new revenue streams and growth in profits in the coming years, beyond the sales spike from their debut.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
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The week of programming for the scouts and senior staff features a review of the previous draft, cleanup of any process errors from that year of evaluation and a look ahead to the intensive coming months of college and pro scouting.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pending. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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