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
Dozens of lawsuits remain pending, including claims related to the handling of mass pro-immigration protests since last year, probably putting taxpayers on the hook for more large payouts in the future. — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Those tax charges, involving Rivera’s 2017 and 2018 returns, remain pending. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 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
  • Over the next several days, plan on more fall weather ahead of a colder, more unsettled end to the coming workweek.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • His eligibility case remains unsettled, as Sane signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz in 2024 but never appeared in an NBA game.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • Kuzma’s email came out of the blue, several parents told the Tribune, blindsiding them, the athletes and other students as the team prepared for an upcoming bowl game.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • After responding to a letter from the condo association's attorney threatening foreclosure, Farthing is now awaiting an upcoming court date where a judge will determine whether to grant her an extension on paying the debt.
    — Joan Murray, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of upcoming
Adjective
  • The company notified the state and employees last week of the impending closure, with plans to move the manufacturing, and perhaps some of the affected workers, to other Ferrara facilities.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • But the impending lockout puts extra emphasis this year on the three days baseball’s operations leaders will spend in Las Vegas this week.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of impending
Preposition
  • Unlike conventional industrial robots that rely on rigid structures and external safety barriers, AIR uses a compliant mechanical design intended to reduce the risk of injury during accidental contact.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The Lakers, playing with Sexton as their primary ballhandler during the stretch, had four turnovers during the drought, including a shot clock violation after a timeout.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of during
Adjective
  • For example, the Boardwalk Pipeline litigation, stemming from Loews’ 2018 buyout of Boardwalk’s public unitholders, has bounced between the two courts for eight years and remains unresolved.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • These exchanges often have very little to do with what’s actually happening in your life and much more to do with something unsaid or unresolved with the messenger.
    — Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of unresolved
Adjective
  • Winter is fast approaching, beckoning a drop in temperatures that will leave most people wanting nothing more than to curl up inside.
    — Simmone Shah, Time, 9 Nov. 2026
  • As the 2026 high school football season enters Week 11 in Central Texas and around the state, the playoffs are fast approaching.
    — Shaun Chornobroff, Austin American Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of approaching
Adjective
  • The size of Democrats’ majorities in the House and Senate remained undetermined one week after Election Day as more than a dozen races were still too early to call Tuesday.
    — Camille Baker, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Although approximately $809 million in public funds was exposed to Ueno’s failure, the amount ultimately at risk of permanent loss remains undetermined.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of undetermined
Adjective
  • The group has still been told they could be put back on a flight in coming days, according to immigration attorneys involved.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026
  • And the chart tracking week will allow for even more Halloween music action in the coming years, because Halloween was on a Saturday this year, meaning the only Halloweekend activity was Friday through early Sunday.
    — Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of coming

Browse Nearby Words

pendent
pending
pendulous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pending. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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