pending 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of pendingnext
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

pending

2 of 2

preposition

ˈpen-diŋ How to pronounce pending (audio)
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
Patterson, a former Charlotte Fire Department battalion chief, had a pending, seven-year-old lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against the city until the week before his wife, Estella Patterson, became chief of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in October. — Julia Coin june 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 It couldn’t be determined how many pending ordinance violation tickets issued by Mayo had been dismissed. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 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
  1. unsettled
  2. upcoming
  3. impending
  4. during
  5. unresolved
  6. approaching
  7. undetermined
  8. coming
Adjective
  • That should make Earth’s magnetic field more disturbed than usual, with mostly unsettled or active conditions and a chance of brief G1 geomagnetic storms.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The lack of regulation and the unsettled law surrounding prediction markets have raised serious concerns on Capitol Hill.
    — Luke Garrett, NPR, 9 July 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • Roughly a month before Kirk’s killing, Twiggs said Robinson asked for a Dremel, a tool used for sanding or grinding, to engrave bullets for an upcoming family hunting trip.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Raven Banner reps worldwide rights and will continue to sell available territories at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of upcoming
Adjective
  • While Lennox and Kember are lyrically focused on the impending darkness, A ?
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
  • The works are scheduled to go on display in Europe, and the trove’s impending departure has ignited one of Mexico’s most heated cultural controversies in recent memory.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of impending
Preposition
  • Morocco were able to expose the space with ease during the first half.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Their absence from the London leg of the trip now raises questions about whether a family reunion will happen during the visit.
    — Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of during
Adjective
  • Court records show that while some had felony convictions, others had unresolved immigration proceedings or had been arrested but never convicted of a crime.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • In a region where climate change has already strained access to critical resources for millions, every day that the conflict remains unresolved is another day the people of the region must confront threats to their very survival.
    — Sarah Yerkes, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of unresolved
Adjective
  • So, with another knockout game fast approaching, will Messi step up if Argentina is awarded another spot kick?
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • For the Master Plan to be implemented, cities representing 80% of the population of the participating cities must approve the plan by the deadline of August 14, 2026, which is fast approaching.
    — Stephanie Pearson, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2026
Definition of approaching
Adjective
  • An autopsy left the cause of death as undetermined, though there were no obvious signs of trauma on the bones discovered.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
  • Marie-Philip Poulin, captain of the Montreal Victoire and the Canadian women’s national hockey team, will undergo surgery on her ACL and meniscus in July and will be out for an undetermined amount of time.
    — Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of undetermined
Adjective
  • Building The Enterprise Of The Future​ The organizations most likely to lead in the coming decade will not necessarily be those deploying the largest number of AI solutions.
    — Motaz Agamawi, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • While any legislation is unlikely to cross the finish line this year, given the limited number of days lawmakers are in session, both parties have signaled AI will continue to be a priority in coming years.
    — Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 9 July 2026
Definition of coming

Browse Nearby Words

pendent
pending
pendulous
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Cite this Entry

“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pending. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pending

Nglish: Translation of pending for Spanish Speakers

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