indecisive

/ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-di-ˈsī-siv/ (ame, mw)

indecisive — adjective

  • indecisivepositive
  • more indecisivecomparative
  • most indecisivesuperlative

1. describes someone who finds it very hard to make a choice or reach a decision, o

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes someone who finds it very hard to make a choice or reach a decision, often changing their mind or depending on other people's opinions.

例句

Chitra is so indecisive that she spent ten minutes picking between two jackets.

so + indecisive + that-clause for extreme difficulty

The team grew frustrated with their indecisive supervisor, who changed the plan each morning.

indecisive + supervisor / boss (person role)

同義詞
  • hesitant

    describes pause or doubt in a specific situation, not a general personality

  • irresolute

    more formal and suggests an inability to commit even after deciding

  • wavering

    suggests active movement between options, often used in political or moral contexts

反義詞
  • decisive

    able to make decisions quickly and firmly

  • resolute

    very determined, not easily persuaded to change course

文法句型

indecisive + about + noun/gerund

so + indecisive + that-clause

用法筆記

Commonly describes a person's character rather than a single moment of hesitation. To describe a single moment, use hesitant instead.

常見錯誤

❌I was indecisive about which dish to order.
✅I was hesitant about which dish to order.
💡For a single small choice, hesitant is more natural; indecisive suggests a lasting personality trait.

2. describes a result, event, or piece of evidence that does not give a clear answe

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a result, event, or piece of evidence that does not give a clear answer or show which side is right — for example, an election where the vote counts are too close to declare a winner.

例句

The election results were indecisive, so Oluwaseun scheduled a second vote for the following week.

be + indecisive describing an outcome

After an indecisive battle that lasted three days, neither army could claim victory.

indecisive + battle / conflict (formal register)

同義詞
  • inconclusive

    the closest synonym; interchangeable in most formal contexts

  • unresolved

    suggests the matter is still open and waiting for a decision, not just unclear

  • ambiguous

    focuses on multiple possible interpretations rather than lack of a clear result

反義詞
  • conclusive

    providing enough evidence to settle a question

  • decisive

    producing a definite result or settlement

文法句型

indecisive + noun (result / election / battle / test)

用法筆記

Frequently applied to formal or institutional situations — elections, legal cases, scientific studies, military campaigns. Cannot describe a person's character.

常見錯誤

❌The scientist was indecisive about the data.
✅The test results were indecisive.
💡indecisive describes the result, not the person analysing it; for the person, use unsure or uncertain.

3. describes something whose edges, shape, or limits are not clearly marked or visi

3.形容詞C1
釋義

describes something whose edges, shape, or limits are not clearly marked or visible, so it is hard to tell where one thing ends and another starts.

例句

Diego painted indecisive shapes that seemed to shift and blur as the viewer watched.

indecisive + shapes / outlines (visual boundary)

The boundary between their farms remained indecisive until a surveyor measured the land.

同義詞
  • indefinite

    broader meaning; covers both vague boundaries and unlimited duration

  • vague

    more common in everyday speech; can describe both visual and abstract lack of clarity

  • blurred

    specifically visual; suggests the edges are smudged or out of focus

反義詞
  • definite

    having clearly marked limits or boundaries

  • distinct

    clearly different and easily noticeable, especially in shape or form

文法句型

indecisive + noun (shape / outline / boundary / line)

用法筆記

This is the rarest sense, used mainly in descriptive or literary writing about visual boundaries. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about outcomes and results, not physical edges.