Standard Lemma guide

indecisiveness

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • CMU ARPABET: IH2 N D EH1 S IH0 S IH0 V N AH0 S Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The condition of being indecisive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: decisiveness

2

noun

Meaning 2

the trait of irresolution; a lack of firmness of character or purpose

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the king's incurable indecisiveness caused turmoil in his court

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: indecision

Antonyms: decisiveness

Broader terms: irresoluteness, irresolution

3

noun

Meaning 3

doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • his indecision was only momentary but the opportunity was lost

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: indecision, irresolution

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: doubt, uncertainty, incertitude, dubiety, doubtfulness, dubiousness

Narrower terms: hesitation, vacillation, wavering

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English indecisive Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English indecisiveness From indecisive + -ness.