indecisively
1
4.2
- adverb
- /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪvli/
:
indecisivamente
- The muzzle of her weapon jerked here and there, indecisively, and even I could tell that hitting one of the creatures would have been very difficult.
Examples
-
She closed it and retreated to the living room, indecisively watching through the plate glass "picture window" (as the realtor had called it) without knowing what she was watching for.
Fiction book (2001) -
For a moment, he stood indecisively in the dark hallway, feeling like an intruder, and then began to tiptoe carefully across the room; but his head bumped against a low corner, and his leg caught in a chair, and all at once the lights went on behind him.
Fiction book (2002) -
Nurses are human beings, and therefore they may sometimes act emotionally or indecisively.
Academic text (2010) -
Sharon stood on the door sill, indecisively, aware of the familiar buzz and wash of sound.
Fiction book (2000) -
Perrin looked indecisively over the flowing brine of Maurnilam Var.
Fiction book (1992) -
She hesitated indecisively before choosing a dress for the party.
-
The committee discussed the project indecisively, unable to reach a consensus.
-
He walked indecisively between two paths, unsure of which one to take.
Synonyms
1
7.4
In a way that shows no clear opinion or decision
In a way that shows someone cannot decide clearly
Antonyms
How Indecisive
Surface Forms
Morphology
indecisively = indecisive (semi-transparent) = in + decis + ive + ly
Forming an adverb by adding the productive suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'indecisive' is a regular and clearly inferable process.
Etymology
Indecisively comes from the parts in- ('not') and decide, the same root as decision, which originally meant 'to cut' away other choices. So, to act indecisively is to fail to 'cut' to one choice, which is why it means you cannot make a clear or firm decision.