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indecisiveness

indecisiveness

3 5.1
Not being able to decide quickly or confidently
  • noun
  • /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪvnəs/
translation icon : indecisión
  • The silence of the people spoke volumes about their indecisiveness and inaction.

When you see mixed signals, indecisiveness, whatever, address it.

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Examples

  • For one, the decision to settle for a fine could be interpreted as indecisiveness on the part of the EPA.

    Blog text (15)
  • - Indecisiveness will get you only so far in my class young lady.

  • Dean, used to being in control, felt his earlier indecisiveness beginning to recede.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Nevertheless, whatever the cause, the plague of indecisiveness has, without a doubt, wiggled its way into my daily routine.

    Blog text (27)
  • In the week that followed, I was berated by both my parents for my bad decisions and by Jonas for indecisiveness.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • First, a striking quality of the study is that there was little indecisiveness among students in responding to the semantic differential questionnaire.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Even I think I'm lucky and unlucky that I'm doing it in front of the world, but I think my indecisiveness maybe reflects the fact that I am still figuring it out.

  • Too many choices can lead to indecisiveness, making it hard to pick the best option.

  • Her indecisiveness about which movie to watch left everyone waiting for a decision.

  • During the meeting, his indecisiveness became apparent as he struggled to choose a plan.

Synonyms

indecision
vsindecisiveness
19 3.4

Not able to make a choice quickly or with confidence

is the longer abstract noun used for ongoing lack of firmness
hesitancy
vsindecisiveness
7 4.2

A short pause before you act because you are not sure

is inability to decide firmly, not only temporary reluctance to act
wavering
vsindecisiveness
3 5.5

A time when someone is unsure about a choice

refers to inability to decide firmly, not only temporary unsteadiness
hesitance
vsindecisiveness
3 5.3

A short pause before doing or saying something because you feel unsure

is the same meaning but appears as an alternative word form
vacillation
vsindecisiveness
2 8.5

Not being able to decide and changing your mind often

focuses on being unable to decide quickly or firmly rather than frequent changes
irresolution
vsindecisiveness
1 8.0

Not being able to decide or act

is described as a quality rather than a simple state
tentativeness
vsindecisiveness
1 7.0

A feeling of being unsure and slow to decide

describes failure to decide quickly or firmly rather than low confidence
irresoluteness
vsindecisiveness
8.9

Not being able to make firm decisions

stresses inability to decide quickly as well as lack of determination
incertitude
vsindecisiveness
  • Formal
8.9

A feeling of not being sure or confident about something

applies specifically to inability to decide quickly or firmly not general doubt
dubiety
vsindecisiveness
  • Formal
9.9

A feeling of doubt or uncertainty about something

concerns inability to decide quickly or firmly not just intellectual doubt
unfixity
vsindecisiveness
9.9

A habit of changing your mind, feelings, or plans

is about inability to make decisions quickly or firmly not general changeability

Antonyms

5 3.2

The ability to choose quickly and confidently

How Decisive

hesitation
110 2.8
wavering
3 5.5
irresolution
1 8.0
indecisiveness
3 5.1
vacillation
2 8.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

indecisiveness = indecisive (transparent) = in + decis + ive + ness

This is a standard noun formation from the adjective 'indecisive' meaning the state or quality of being indecisive.

Etymology

The word indecisiveness has three parts: in- ('not'), decide (which once meant 'to cut away other choices'), and -ness (which makes a noun). So, indecisiveness describes 'not cutting away options', which is why it means being unable to choose or decide firmly.