indecisively

/ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪvli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪvli/ (ame, ipa)

indecisively — adverb

1. in a manner that reveals someone is struggling to choose between options or to c

1.副詞C1
釋義

in a manner that reveals someone is struggling to choose between options or to commit to a course of action.

例句

Hiroshi tapped the menu indecisively before finally pointing at the ramen.

verb + indecisively for hesitant choosing

The new manager spoke indecisively about whether the team should hire two more designers.

indecisively + speaking verb about a pending decision

同義詞
  • hesitantly

    more common; emphasises pausing rather than the inability to choose

  • irresolutely

    more formal; foregrounds weakness of will

  • waveringly

    literary; suggests visible back-and-forth movement of mind

反義詞
  • decisively

    direct opposite — quickly and with full commitment

  • firmly

    with clear conviction; less narrowly about choosing

文法句型

verb + indecisively

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person; the modified verb typically names a small action that reveals hesitation (speaking, pointing, shifting, shrugging). Distinguish from sense 2, which describes outcomes of votes or contests.

常見錯誤

❌She answered the question indecisively but correctly.
✅She answered the question hesitantly but correctly.
💡'indecisively' implies she could not commit to an answer, which clashes with 'correctly'.

2. in a manner that fails to settle the question, produce a winner, or deliver a de

2.副詞C1
釋義

in a manner that fails to settle the question, produce a winner, or deliver a definite outcome.

例句

The match between the two chess clubs ended indecisively after six drawn games.

end + indecisively for unresolved competition

The board voted indecisively on the merger, with eight in favour and eight against.

vote + indecisively for a tied or inconclusive ballot

同義詞
反義詞
  • decisively

    with a clear, definite outcome — opposite of this sense

  • conclusively

    settling the question with no doubt left

文法句型

verb + indecisively

用法筆記

Subject is usually an event (match, vote, election, talks), not a person. Distinguish from sense 1, where the subject is a person showing hesitation.

常見錯誤

❌Olivia smiled indecisively at the result.
✅The result was decided indecisively, with both candidates tied.
💡sense 2 describes the result of an event, not a person's facial expression.