30 Synonyms for Pending with Meanings and Examples

Pending means waiting for a decision, action, approval, or event to happen.

Imagine submitting a job application and checking your email every morning. The application has not been accepted or rejected yet, so its status remains open.

The word pending describes something that is not yet settled, completed, or decided. It is common in legal, business, academic, financial, and everyday situations.

Learning synonyms for pending helps English learners understand small differences in meaning. It also helps writers avoid repetition and choose words that fit formal, professional, and conversational contexts.

This article explains the meaning of pending, its emotional tone, history, pronunciation, word parts, and 30 useful synonyms with clear examples. By the end, you will know how to describe unfinished decisions, waiting actions, and future events more precisely.

Meaning of Pending

Definition

Pending (adjective/preposition): not yet decided, completed, or settled; also, waiting until something happens.

Simple Meaning

Pending describes something that is still waiting for a decision, result, approval, action, or completion.

Connotation

The word is usually neutral and formal. It suggests that a matter remains open and that something is expected to happen before the situation is settled.

Examples

• The application is still pending.
• The payment will remain pending until the bank confirms the transaction.

Etymology

Pending comes through a French pendant, meaning “hanging” or “during,” from French pendre, “to hang.” The older idea of something “hanging” developed into the figurative sense of a matter remaining unsettled or awaiting resolution. Merriam-Webster records the first known English use in 1642 as a preposition and 1643 as an adjective.

The word can therefore be understood historically as expressing the idea of something figuratively “hanging” while a decision or event remains unfinished.

Short History

Old English (450–1100): The modern word pending did not yet exist. Ideas such as waiting, remaining unfinished, or being undecided were expressed through other native Germanic words and constructions.

Middle English (1100–1500): French and Latin strongly influenced English vocabulary after the Norman Conquest. Legal and administrative language especially helped introduce constructions connected with the idea of something remaining unsettled.

Modern English (1500–Present): Pending entered English in the mid-17th century, influenced by French pendant. It became especially useful in legal, administrative, business, and formal writing for matters awaiting decisions or outcomes. 

Quick Synonym Comparison

• Pending: waiting for a decision, action, or result.
• Unresolved: not solved or settled.
• Undecided: no decision has been made.
• Unsettled: not finally resolved or agreed.
• Outstanding: still requiring attention or completion.
• Imminent: about to happen very soon.
• On hold: temporarily paused.
• In limbo: in an uncertain or inactive state.

Pronunciation

US: /ˈpen.dɪŋ/
UK: /ˈpen.dɪŋ/

Cambridge gives the same standard pronunciation for US and UK English. (Cambridge Dictionary)

Syllables

pend-ing

Pending (adjective/preposition): waiting for a decision, action, completion, or event.

Examples

• The court case is still pending.
• The order remains pending until payment is verified.

30 Synonyms for Pending

1. Unresolved

Unresolved (adjective)

US /ˌʌn.rɪˈzɑːlvd/ | UK /ˌʌn.rɪˈzɒlvd/
Meaning: not solved or settled.

Examples:

• The dispute remains unresolved.
• Several questions are unresolved.

2. Unsettled

Unsettled (adjective)

US /ʌnˈset̬.əld/ | UK /ʌnˈset.əld/
Meaning: not finally decided or settled.

Examples:

• The matter is unsettled.
• Their agreement remains unsettled.

3. Undecided

Undecided (adjective)

US /ˌʌn.dɪˈsaɪ.dɪd/ | UK /ˌʌn.dɪˈsaɪ.dɪd/
Meaning: not yet decided.

Examples:

• The question remains undecided.
• The committee is still undecided.

4. Undetermined

Undetermined (adjective)

US /ˌʌn.dɪˈtɝː.mɪnd/ | UK /ˌʌn.dɪˈtɜː.mɪnd/
Meaning: not yet established or known.

Examples:

• The final cost is undetermined.
• His role remains undetermined.

5. Outstanding

Outstanding (adjective)

US /aʊtˈstæn.dɪŋ/ | UK /aʊtˈstæn.dɪŋ/
Meaning: still requiring attention or completion.

Examples:

• Two payments are outstanding.
• The outstanding issue needs review.

6. Open

Open (adjective)

US /ˈoʊ.pən/ | UK /ˈəʊ.pən/
Meaning: not finally settled or closed.

Examples:

• The investigation remains open.
• Several questions are still open.

7. Incomplete

Incomplete (adjective)

US /ˌɪn.kəmˈpliːt/ | UK /ˌɪn.kəmˈpliːt/
Meaning: not finished or complete.

Examples:

• The application is incomplete.
• The report remains incomplete.

8. Unfinished

Unfinished (adjective)

US /ʌnˈfɪnɪʃt/ | UK /ʌnˈfɪnɪʃt/
Meaning: not brought to completion.

Examples:

• The project is unfinished.
• Several tasks remain unfinished.

9. Uncompleted

Uncompleted (adjective)

US /ˌʌn.kəmˈpliː.tɪd/ | UK /ˌʌn.kəmˈpliː.tɪd/
Meaning: not completed.

Examples:

• The work remains uncompleted.
• An uncompleted form delayed processing.

10. Inconclusive

Inconclusive (adjective)

US /ˌɪn.kənˈkluː.sɪv/ | UK /ˌɪn.kənˈkluː.sɪv/
Meaning: failing to produce a final answer.

Examples:

• The test was inconclusive.
• The evidence remains inconclusive.

11. Indeterminate

Indeterminate (adjective)

US /ˌɪn.dɪˈtɝː.mə.nət/ | UK /ˌɪn.dɪˈtɜː.mɪ.nət/
Meaning: not clearly determined.

Examples:

• The outcome is indeterminate.
• The date remains indeterminate.

12. Unconfirmed

Unconfirmed (adjective)

US /ˌʌn.kənˈfɝːmd/ | UK /ˌʌn.kənˈfɜːmd/
Meaning: not officially verified or confirmed.

Examples:

• The report is unconfirmed.
• The booking remains unconfirmed.

13. Suspended

Suspended (adjective)

US /səˈspen.dɪd/ | UK /səˈspen.dɪd/
Meaning: temporarily stopped or inactive.

Examples:

• The project is suspended.
• The decision remains suspended.

14. Deferred

Deferred (adjective)

US /dɪˈfɝːd/ | UK /dɪˈfɜːd/
Meaning: postponed until a later time.

Examples:

• The decision was deferred.
• Payment has been deferred.

15. Delayed

Delayed (adjective)

US /dɪˈleɪd/ | UK /dɪˈleɪd/
Meaning: happening later than expected.

Examples:

• The shipment was delayed.
• The decision remains delayed.

16. Awaiting

Awaiting (preposition/verb form)

US /əˈweɪ.tɪŋ/ | UK /əˈweɪ.tɪŋ/
Meaning: waiting for something to happen.

Examples:

• We are awaiting approval.
• The patient is awaiting results.

17. In Abeyance

In abeyance (phrase)

US /əˈbeɪ.əns/ | UK /əˈbeɪ.əns/
Meaning: temporarily inactive or suspended.

Examples:

• The plan is in abeyance.
• The rule remains in abeyance.

18. In Limbo

In limbo (phrase)

US /ˈlɪm.boʊ/ | UK /ˈlɪm.bəʊ/
Meaning: in an uncertain or inactive state.

Examples:

• Her application is in limbo.
• The project remains in limbo.

19. On Hold

On hold (phrase)

US /ɑːn hoʊld/ | UK /ɒn həʊld/
Meaning: temporarily paused.

Examples:

• The order is on hold.
• Construction remains on hold.

20. Under Consideration

Under consideration (phrase)

US /kənˌsɪdəˈreɪʃən/ | UK /kənˌsɪdəˈreɪʃən/
Meaning: being considered before a decision.

Examples:

• Your request is under consideration.
• Several proposals remain under consideration.

21. Under Review

Under review (phrase)

US /rɪˈvjuː/ | UK /rɪˈvjuː/
Meaning: being examined before a decision.

Examples:

• The application is under review.
• The policy remains under review.

22. In Question

In question (phrase)

US /ɪn ˈkwestʃən/ | UK /ɪn ˈkwestʃən/
Meaning: uncertain, disputed, or not settled.

Examples:

• The contract is in question.
• His eligibility remains in question.

23. In the Balance

In the balance (phrase)

US /ɪn ðə ˈbæləns/ | UK /ɪn ðə ˈbæləns/
Meaning: uncertain and awaiting an outcome.

Examples:

• The deal hangs in the balance.
• Her future remains in the balance.

24. Up in the Air

Up in the air (idiom)

US /ʌp ɪn ði er/ | UK /ʌp ɪn ði eə/
Meaning: uncertain or not decided.

Examples:

• Our travel plans are up in the air.
• The meeting date is still up in the air.

25. Hanging Fire

Hanging fire (idiom)

US /ˈhæŋɪŋ faɪr/ | UK /ˈhæŋɪŋ faɪə/
Meaning: delayed while awaiting action.

Examples:

• The proposal is hanging fire.
• The decision has been hanging fire.

26. Imminent

Imminent (adjective)

US /ˈɪmɪnənt/ | UK /ˈɪmɪnənt/
Meaning: about to happen very soon.

Examples:

• A decision is imminent.
• The announcement appears imminent.

27. Impending

Impending (adjective)

US /ɪmˈpendɪŋ/ | UK /ɪmˈpendɪŋ/
Meaning: about to happen.

Examples:

• The impending deadline worried everyone.
• An impending announcement was expected.

28. Forthcoming

Forthcoming (adjective)

US /ˈfɔːrθˌkʌmɪŋ/ | UK /ˈfɔːθˌkʌmɪŋ/
Meaning: expected or about to arrive.

Examples:

• The forthcoming decision matters.
• Further details are forthcoming.

29. Upcoming

Upcoming (adjective)

US /ˈʌpˌkʌmɪŋ/ | UK /ˈʌpˌkʌmɪŋ/
Meaning: happening or appearing soon.

Examples:

• The upcoming election is important.
• She prepared for the upcoming meeting.

30. Looming

Looming (adjective)

US /ˈluːmɪŋ/ | UK /ˈluːmɪŋ/
Meaning: approaching and likely to happen soon.

Examples:

• A looming deadline caused concern.
• The looming decision affected planning.

Quick Synonym Comparison

Pending is the broadest choice for something awaiting a decision, action, or outcome.

Unresolved focuses on a problem that has not been solved.

Undecided focuses on a decision that has not been made.

Outstanding focuses on something still requiring attention or completion.

On hold suggests temporary suspension.

Under review suggests active examination.

In limbo emphasizes uncertainty or lack of progress.

Imminent and impending focus on something that is about to happen rather than something awaiting a decision.

Synonyms by Context / Usage

Formal: pending, unresolved, undetermined, outstanding, deferred, indeterminate

Informal: on hold, up in the air, in limbo

Academic: unresolved, inconclusive, undetermined, indeterminate

Professional: pending, outstanding, under review, under consideration, awaiting

Legal: pending, unresolved, undecided, in question, in abeyance

Future events: imminent, impending, forthcoming, upcoming, looming

Example Sentences Using the Synonyms

• The application remains pending.
• The dispute is still unresolved.
• The final decision is undecided.
• The exact cost is undetermined.
• Several invoices are outstanding.
• The investigation remains open.
• The proposal is under consideration.
• The documents are under review.
• The project has been deferred.
• The release date is up in the air.
• A major announcement is forthcoming.
• The deadline is looming.

Parts of Speech

Pending is mainly used as an adjective and preposition.

• Adjective: The case is pending.
• Preposition: The payment is pending approval.

Antonyms of Pending

*Resolved (adjective): successfully settled or solved.

*Decided (adjective): determined after consideration.

*Settled (adjective): finally agreed or resolved.

*Completed (adjective): fully finished.

*Finalized (adjective): officially completed or confirmed.

When to Use Which Synonym

Use unresolved for problems and disputes. For choices or decisions, undecided is the better fit. Outstanding describes tasks, payments, or matters that still need attention. When something is being actively examined, use under review. On hold works when an action has been temporarily paused. For events expected very soon, imminent or impending is more appropriate.

Affixation Pattern

Affixation Pattern of Pending

Root: pend, from Latin pendere, meaning “to hang,” entering English through French influence.

Prefix: none.

Suffix: -ing, marking the present participle and helping form the adjective pending.

Word Formation

• Pend (verb root) – to hang or depend, chiefly seen in related formations.
• Pending (adjective/preposition) – awaiting a decision, action, or event.
• Pendent (adjective) – hanging or remaining undecided.
• Depend (verb) – to rely on or be determined by something else.
• Dependent (adjective) – relying on another person or condition.

Pronunciation (US & UK – IPA)

US: /ˈpen.dɪŋ/
UK: /ˈpen.dɪŋ/ (Cambridge Dictionary)

Syllables

pend-ing

Prototype Meaning

When native speakers hear pending, they commonly picture an application, payment, court case, request, investigation, or decision that has not reached its final stage. The typical image is something waiting in a queue for approval, action, or completion. The word does not necessarily mean that something has stopped permanently. It usually means that the final result has not yet been reached.

Prototype Categorization

• Not yet decided: undecided, unresolved, undetermined, unsettled
• Still requiring action: pending, outstanding, incomplete, unfinished
• Being examined: under review, under consideration, in question
• Temporarily paused: on hold, suspended, deferred, in abeyance
• Uncertain status: in limbo, up in the air, in the balance
• Coming soon: imminent, impending, forthcoming, upcoming, looming

Grouping synonyms by their shade of meaning helps writers select the most precise expression. It also prevents using a word such as imminent when the intended meaning is actually “awaiting a decision.”

Common Usage Mistakes

1. Using pending as a direct synonym for delayed: Pending means awaiting a result or action, while delayed emphasizes lateness.
2. Using imminent for an undecided matter: Imminent means about to happen soon, not simply waiting for approval.
3. Confusing pending with completed: A pending application has not reached its final status.
4. Using pending casually when a simpler word works: In everyday speech, “waiting” or “not decided” may sound more natural.
5. Forgetting the formal tone: Pending is especially common in legal, business, financial, and administrative English.

Connotative Meaning

Positive tone: Pending can suggest that progress is still possible and that a favorable result may come.

Negative tone: It can suggest delay, uncertainty, or frustration when a person is waiting too long.

Neutral tone: It simply describes something that has not yet been decided, completed, or settled.

(Connotation means the feeling or association a word can create beyond its basic dictionary meaning.)

Short Questions and Answers

What does pending mean?

Pending means that something has not yet been decided, completed, or settled. It can also mean waiting until another event happens.

When should pending be used?

Use pending when an application, decision, payment, case, request, or other matter is still awaiting action or a result. It is especially common in formal English.

Is pending positive or negative?

Pending is usually neutral. Depending on the situation, it can suggest hope for a positive result or frustration caused by waiting.

How is pending different from similar words?

Unresolved emphasizes a problem that has not been solved, while undecided emphasizes a decision that has not been made. Imminent is different because it means something is about to happen soon.

What Are Some Synonyms for the Word “Pending”?

Some common synonyms for pending are unresolved, undecided, unsettled, outstanding, awaiting, delayed, deferred, and on hold. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What Are 5 Synonyms and Antonyms of “Pending”?

Five synonyms are unresolved, undecided, unsettled, outstanding, and awaiting. Five antonyms are resolved, decided, settled, completed, and finalized, which describe matters that have reached a definite or finished state.

What Are the Antonyms of “Pending”?

The main antonyms of pending are resolved, decided, settled, completed, finalized, confirmed, approved, and concluded. These words indicate that something has been decided, finished, approved, or brought to a definite conclusion.

Conclusion

Learning the meaning of pending and its synonyms makes English more precise and flexible. Words such as unresolved, undecided, outstanding, under review, and imminent express different shades of waiting, uncertainty, and future action. Understanding these differences helps learners choose the right word in academic, professional, legal, and everyday writing. It also prevents repetition and builds confidence in natural English use. Practice these words regularly, and try using one new synonym each day.

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