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indecisive
/ˌɪn.dɪˈsaɪ.sɪv/
unable to make decisions
She's so indecisive that she changes her mind five times before ordering coffee.
The person struggles to commit to a choice, even for trivial decisions.
general
Having difficulty making choices or decisions
The manager was indecisive about which project to prioritize, delaying the team's progress.
The manager's inability to choose caused delays.
He’s indecisive when it comes to buying clothes, always returning them.
His hesitation leads to frequent returns.
Often implies a lack of confidence or fear of making the wrong choice.
Collocations
indecisive aboutunable to decide regardingchronically indecisivehabitually unable to make decisions
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'indecisive'
Instead of saying 'She’s indecisive,' try 'She struggles to make decisions' for variety. Use synonyms like 'hesitant' or 'irresolute' to avoid repetition.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'indecisive' for people or their behavior, not for objects. For example, say 'The committee was indecisive' (correct) instead of 'The decision was indecisive' (incorrect).
Word Origin
From Latin *indecisivus*, meaning 'not decisive', combining *in-* (not) + *decisivus* (decisive). First recorded in English in the late 17th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe people, actions, or situations where a choice is avoided or delayed. Avoid using it to describe objects or abstract concepts unless personified.
Word Breakdown
in-
not
prefixdecisive
able to make decisions
rootEnglish Dictionary