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

• ˌindeˈcision, noun
• ˌindeˈcisively, adverb

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

It’s cut down on my shopping for sure, and made it possible for me to be indecisive about what I wear without buying fast fashion—which, let’s be clear, is super fun but super terrible for the planet.

From Popular-Science

“Polls show close race for Virginia governor, with lots of voters up for grabs,” by Laura VozzellaAn indecisive summer in the year's most competitive race.

From Washington Post

This can be particularly helpful to indecisive procrastinators, or “procs,” as Ferrari calls them.

From Washington Post

After years of criticism for being slow-footed and indecisive, Twitter has finally started to spread its wings, shipping a torrent of product changes this year.

From Digiday

So, if you’re feeling indecisive about this all-important gear decision, just know that you’re not alone.

From Popular-Science

“We have a weak and indecisive president,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

From The Daily Beast

A speedster on the ski slopes, the racetrack and the highway, he could be slow and indecisive as a translator and elsewhere.

From The Daily Beast

“I used to always find myself on movies with these indecisive directors,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

He tells Lloyd Grove why he's thinking about taking on Obama and his indecisive foreign policy.

From The Daily Beast

Sounding indecisive, Whitman hemmed and hawed about the different kinds of negative ads.

From The Daily Beast

Kent could have sworn that there was an appeal in her eyes, and he stood for a moment, indecisive, Jandron's stare upon him.

From Project Gutenberg

The morning after this indecisive battle the entire Russian army was far away.

From Project Gutenberg

An indecisive action took place, the two fleets passing each other on opposite tacks and exchanging broadsides.

From Project Gutenberg

The fight was indecisive, but he arrived first at the Cape and prevented the projected attack.

From Project Gutenberg

An indecisive action took place in which, owing to baffling calms, only the British van was engaged.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• doubtful
• hesitant
• tentative
• wishy-washy