indecisive

[ in-di-sahy-siv ]

adjective

1. characterized by indecision, as persons; irresolute; undecided.

   Synonyms: hesitant, vacillating

2. not decisive or conclusive:

   a severe but indecisive battle.

3. lacking definition; vague or indistinct:

   the indecisive outline of the distant hills.

indecisive

/ ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv /

adjective

1. (of a person) vacillating; irresolute
2. not decisive or conclusive

Derived Forms

• ˌindeˈcisively, adverb
• ˌindeˈcision, noun

Other Words From

• in·de·ci·sive·ly adverb
• in·de·ci·sive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indecisive¹

First recorded in 1720–30; in- ³ + decisive

Example Sentences

But after two indecisive general elections in 1910, Asquith and the Liberals needed the votes of moderate Irish nationalists in Parliament to remain in power.

From Salon

Who are these indecisive people who find it hard to choose between vividly different candidate?

From Los Angeles Times

Purely as a political matter, Biden has struggled to wash off the feeling that he and his team are anything other than slow and indecisive amateurs whose performance doesn’t match the hype.

From Los Angeles Times

Critics of the prime minister have portrayed him as indecisive and say there are two Netanyahus: one who functions pragmatically in the small war cabinet he formed with some centrist rivals, boosting its public legitimacy; and another who is effectively being held hostage himself by the far-right members of his governing coalition, who oppose any concession to Hamas and who ensure his political survival.

From New York Times

Critics of the prime minister have portrayed him as indecisive and say there are two Netanyahus.

From New York Times

Related Words

• doubtful
• hesitant
• tentative
• wishy-washy