indecisive
Americanadjective
-
characterized by indecision, as persons; irresolute; undecided.
- Synonyms:
- hesitant, vacillating
-
not decisive or conclusive.
a severe but indecisive battle.
-
lacking definition; vague or indistinct.
the indecisive outline of the distant hills.
adjective
-
(of a person) vacillating; irresolute
-
not decisive or conclusive
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of indecisive
Explanation
If you’re indecisive, you have a hard time making decisions. When you finally do make a decision, you may not be confident about it, or you might change your mind. Another definition for indecisive is not definitely settling something, like when election results are too close to call or some result has been called into question. Several historic American elections have had this happen in the recent past, and in that case, the election result remains indecisive until a recount has been finished or until one party gives a concession speech.
Vocabulary lists containing indecisive
in-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Words of Nick Carraway
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Inherit the Wind
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Indecisive and amenable to the whims of his buddies, he is approached to be an arbiter in the fiery dispute between two dukes, one of whom is his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke.
From New York Times • Jul. 17, 2020
Indecisive in picking out receivers, Lynch held the ball too long and took six sacks, along with eight more hits.
From Washington Times • Oct. 9, 2016
Indecisive manager looks into the starter's eyes and despite the starter being gassed, manager leaves him in.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2014
Indecisive actions between the Persian and Greek fleets at Artemisium.
From The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: from Marathon to Waterloo by Creasy, Edward Shepherd, Sir
Indecisive as the issue was, I knew in my heart of hearts that it partook of the nature of a defeat.
From Tell England A Study in a Generation by Raymond, Ernest
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
