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irresoluteness

irresoluteness

8.9
Not being able to make firm decisions
  • noun
  • /ˌɪrɪˈzɒl.juːt.nəs/
translation icon : indecisión
  • The manager's irresoluteness during the decision-making process frustrated the entire team.

Examples

  • Frequently, frustration is the result of irresoluteness with regard to the choice of ends.

    Blog text (5)
  • At a time in the nation's history when qualities typically assigned to homosexuals—irresoluteness, preference for reflection over action.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Her irresoluteness about which college to attend caused her a lot of stress.

  • His irresoluteness in expressing his feelings made it hard for anyone to understand his true intentions.

Synonyms

indecision
vsirresoluteness
19 3.4

Not able to make a choice quickly or with confidence

stresses lack of determination as an enduring personal quality
hesitancy
vsirresoluteness
7 4.2

A short pause before you act because you are not sure

is broader, naming a general lack of firmness rather than action speed
indecisiveness
vsirresoluteness
3 5.1

Not being able to decide quickly or confidently

emphasizes the same lack of firmness as a general personal quality
wavering
vsirresoluteness
3 5.5

A time when someone is unsure about a choice

highlights a consistent lack of firmness rather than mood shifts
hesitance
vsirresoluteness
3 5.3

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

covers the same doubt but focuses on steady lack of determination
vacillation
vsirresoluteness
2 8.5

Not being able to decide and changing your mind often

is similar but describes a stable lack of firmness rather than flipping
irresolution
vsirresoluteness
1 8.0

Not being able to decide or act

is the same state and meaning often used interchangeably in writing
tentativeness
vsirresoluteness
1 7.0

A feeling of being unsure and slow to decide

is the general quality of lacking firm determination rather than feeling unsure
unsureness
vsirresoluteness
3.8

A feeling of doubt or low confidence

is broader, indicating a deeper lack of firmness beyond single doubts
incertitude
vsirresoluteness
  • Formal
8.9

A feeling of not being sure or confident about something

is the general trait of weak determination rather than temporary uncertainty
dubiety
vsirresoluteness
  • Formal
9.9

A feeling of doubt or uncertainty about something

focuses more on personal lack of firmness or decision making
unfixity
vsirresoluteness
9.9

A habit of changing your mind, feelings, or plans

is centered on indecision as a firmness or determination problem
squishiness
vsirresoluteness
  • Informal
7.4

A lack of firmness that makes rules or decisions unclear

is more about personal inability to decide rather than policy softness

Antonyms

142 3.0

Being firm and not giving up when trying to reach a goal

5 3.2

The ability to choose quickly and confidently

1 6.0

The quality of staying very determined and not changing your mind when things are difficult

How Resolute

determination
142 3.0
irresoluteness
8.9
hesitation
110 2.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

irresoluteness = irresolute (transparent) = ir + resolute + ness

Standard noun formation from the adjective 'irresolute' using the nominalizing suffix '-ness'.

Etymology

Irresoluteness comes from the parts ir- meaning 'not' and resolute meaning 'determined', the same root you see in resolve and resolution. So irresoluteness literally means 'not determined', which is why it describes being unsure or unable to make a firm decision.