inconclusive

American  

[in-kuhn-kloo-siv] / ˌɪn kənˈklu sɪv /

adjective

1. not conclusive; not resolving fully all doubts or questions.

   inconclusive evidence.

2. without final results or outcome.

   inconclusive experiments.

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inconclusive British  

/ ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv /

adjective

1. not conclusive or decisive; not finally settled; indeterminate

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Other Word Forms

• inconclusively adverb
• inconclusiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of inconclusive

First recorded in 1680–90; in- ³ + conclusive

Example Sentences

Immigration agents needed to run the suspect’s various forms of ID through different systems, and if the results were inconclusive, book the person into custody for further investigation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Responding to the Weiland suit, Boeing’s lawyers echoed the industry’s longtime position that the research into the health effects of fume events is inconclusive.

From The Wall Street Journal

There has been debate about 'Snicko', the technology used in such situations in Australia, throughout the series after a number of inconclusive incidents.

From BBC

But after a long wait for answers in November 2023 the report came back inconclusive and the couple said they "still haven't got that closure" they had hoped for.

From BBC

In fact, the test was inconclusive, and Kate had to wait several weeks before she was finally told she had breast cancer.

From BBC

Related Words

• ambiguous
• deficient
• incomplete
• uncertain
• unconvincing
• uneventful
• unsatisfactory
• unsettled
• vague