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

Trauernicht’s felony case remained pending, and his trial had not been scheduled. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Authorities have not publicly identified a cause or manner of death, and the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's autopsy and toxicology results remain pending. — Stepheny Price , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 28 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 unsettled partisan lines around this issue have allowed anger, rooted in decades of deindustrialization and public austerity, to flourish in the electorate.

— Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
South Florida’s turbulent weather since the weekend that killed a mother and her daughter, spawned an Everglades wildfire, and mixed heat with storms looks to remain unsettled — including for Friday’s Miami Dolphins home game.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsettled

Adjective

If the upcoming tests continue to validate the design, the 24-round reusable pod could become one of JR3’s biggest advantages.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
The upcoming 17-day FIBA break could be an opportunity for a new player to acclimate to Hammon’s system in Las Vegas.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of upcoming

Adjective

After a freak accident, Frank the bunny appears in an outstandingly creepy fashion to inform Donnie Darko of the world's impending doom.

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The prank came amid rumors about Stern’s impending retirement and the cancellation of his show.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of impending

Preposition

Moments before, with Wells still at the plate and the Yankees leading 7-1, Flemming and color analyst Will Middlebrooks vented about Chisholm stealing second base and third base during the at-bat.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
This past week, Los Angeles theme parks had more humidity than their Orlando counterparts, something CBSLA chief meteorologist Paul Deanno says he’s never encountered during his career.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of during

Adjective

The days spent with the other witnesses as well as the encounters and testimonies shed light on events that had remained unresolved for decades.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Pending lawsuits, tax liens, judgments or other unresolved legal or financial issues.

— Carson Brunson, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of unresolved

Adjective

August 29, the fictional date (in 1997) of the franchise’s original nuclear holocaust, is fast approaching, and Judgment Day is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Not only is retirement looming at some not-too-distant time, but the college drop-off is fast approaching.

— Ken Stern, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of approaching

Adjective

At the time, the amount Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, would have to pay remained undetermined.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Despite extensive investigation, the manner in which the COVID-19 pandemic started is yet undetermined.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of undetermined

Browse Nearby Words

pendent

pending

pendulous

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Pending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pending. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pending

adjective

preposition

Example Sentences

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