inconclusive
Americanadjective
-
not conclusive; not resolving fully all doubts or questions.
inconclusive evidence.
-
without final results or outcome.
inconclusive experiments.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inconclusive
First recorded in 1680–90; in- 3 + conclusive
Explanation
If something's inconclusive, that means it doesn't lead to a conclusion or a resolution. Inconclusive often describes scientific results. If your data about a flu outbreak is inconclusive, then your results don't prove anything. A good way to remember the meaning of inconclusive is to look at the root word conclusive, which means "definitive, decisive, and convincing." When you add in- — which means "not" — to the front of conclusive, you get a word that means "not definitive." When something's inconclusive, it doesn't resolve your questions and leaves room for debate. If you're a detective, the last thing you want to hear is that your evidence is inconclusive.
Vocabulary lists containing inconclusive
Case Closed: Clud, Clus
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Vocabulary from "Stop Expecting Games to Build Empathy" by Julie Muncy
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The Double Helix
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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.
A leadership change and inconclusive evidence of artificial-intelligence momentum left Adobe investors with more questions than answers after Thursday’s earnings report.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026
Independent polling has painted an inconclusive picture about which Democratic candidate would be more competitive in November.
From Salon • Mar. 2, 2026
The cause of two teenage deaths at a holiday park is yet to be established after initial tests returned inconclusive results, Humberside Police has said.
From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026
Gold prices climbed back above $5,000, as inconclusive U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and concerns over potential military escalation boost the metal’s appeal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026
We began assembling groups of reporters and editors from different sections of the paper for brainstorming sessions that were long, intense, and inconclusive.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
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.
