indecisive

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

indecisive — 形容詞

  • 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

優柔寡斷

難以做決定、猶豫不決的

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.

Chitra 非常優柔寡斷，她花了十分鐘挑選兩件外套。

so + indecisive + that-clause for extreme difficulty

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

團隊對他們優柔寡斷的主管感到沮喪，他每天早上都在更改計畫。

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

無定論

結果不明確、無法產生結論的

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.

選舉結果無定論，因此 Oluwaseun 安排在下週進行第二輪投票。

be + indecisive describing an outcome

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

一場為期三天的戰役未有定論，雙方都無法宣稱勝利。

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

模糊不明

邊界或輪廓不清楚的

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.

Diego 畫出模糊不明的形狀，觀看時這些形狀似乎在變化模糊。

indecisive + shapes / outlines (visual boundary)

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

他們農場之間的界線一直模糊不明，直到測量員來丈量土地。

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.