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indecisive

indecisive

1 5.0
Not clearly defined so limits are unclear
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/
translation icon : indefinido
  • Third, and foremost, the various communiqués reflected a collective political desire that aimed to explore viable alternative solutions to the indecisive role of education.

Examples

  • For many subjects, a smaller step size would have led to indecisive behavior and thus poor test efficiency.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Nothing can be accomplished in a chaotic, confused, or indecisive atmosphere.

    Academic text (2002)
  • In addition to the above, the first research question addressed the hypothesis that participants reading the testimony of both experts would be more likely to become indecisive.

    Academic text (2002)
  • In doing so, I will show that, far from being well thought out, the regime's policies with regard to culture and aesthetics were muddled and indecisive.

    Academic text (1998)
  • In her indecisive manner, she struggled to choose which dress to wear to the event.

  • The committee's indecisive discussions led to delays in making an important decision.

  • The weather in spring can often be indecisive, alternating between rain and sunshine throughout the day.

Synonyms

indistinct
vsindecisive
328 5.3

Not easy to see, hear, or understand

refers to unclear limits in idea rather than simple visual fuzziness
vague
vsindecisive
230 4.6

Not clear or detailed so you are unsure what is meant

is the broader notion of not being clearly defined or limited
unclear
vsindecisive
207 3.9

Not easy to understand or know for sure

is about absence of distinct limits rather than simply hard to follow
uncertain
vsindecisive
149 2.8

Not known for sure and likely to change

is about unclear boundaries or definitions rather than future chance
ambiguous
vsindecisive
68 6.3

Not clear because it can have more than one meaning

focuses on unclear boundaries rather than multiple separate meanings
indefinite
vsindecisive
39 4.0

Not clearly fixed or known, with no set end date

is the broader idea of being not clearly defined or limited
cloudy
vsindecisive
12 3.5

A thought that is not clear or detailed

is a neutral description of lacking clear definition rather than sensory fog
indeterminate
vsindecisive
11 7.0

Not clearly known or decided

is the state of having undefined limits rather than a settled answer
equivocal
vsindecisive
6 7.6

Not clear because it can be understood in more than one way and sometimes hides the truth

is more neutral lack of clear limits, without intent to mislead
ill-defined
vsindecisive
5 6.5

Not clearly or exactly stated

is about not being clearly defined rather than just poorly stated
indeterminable
vsindecisive
1 7.7

You cannot know for sure

is the general sense of unclear limits rather than inability to decide
undelineated
vsindecisive
9.5

Not clearly separated from other things and lacking clear edges

is the general notion of lacking distinct limits or clarity
undeterminable
vsindecisive
7.6

It is not possible to know for sure

is a softer idea of lacking clear limits rather than impossibility to decide

Antonyms

155 1.6

Clearly stated or decided and not vague

27 4.2

Easy to see and understand

How Clear

definite
155 1.6
clear
1.0
indecisive
1 5.0
obscure
28 8.2

Surface Forms

indecisive positive
indecisiver comparative
indecisivest superlative

Morphology

indecisive = decisive (semi-transparent) = in + decis + ive

Negating 'decisive' straightforwardly yields the sense 'not conclusive or not clearly defined'.

Etymology

Indecisive can also mean 'not clear or final'; it comes from in- 'not' and decide, as in decision, and a 'decisive' result would settle the question. So an indecisive result or border does not settle things and therefore feels vague or unfinished.