Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Pendency
noun
/ PEN-den-see /
Medium
Meaning
The state of remaining unresolved or awaiting a decision; the period during which something is pending
Origin / Etymology
Latin pendere — to hang, be suspended
Synonyms
Backlog
Delay
Abeyance
Antonyms
Resolution
Disposal
Settlement
Example Sentence
"India's patent pendency of 58+ months discourages innovators who lose competitive advantage before their patents are even granted."
🎯 UPSC Usage
Use in GS2 (judicial pendency, case backlog) and GS3 (patent pendency, regulatory delays). Frequently appears in essays on governance reform.
Relevant Subjects