as in weak
formal
not certain about what to do; not resolute
He has been criticized as an irresolute leader.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hesitation
a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action
after a moment of anguished irresolution, I raised my rifle and fired at the charging animal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irresolute
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
The prevailing sense among investors and market handicappers entering the month was to expect choppy, irresolute action full of potential scares.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
The prevailing sense among investors and market handicappers entering the month was to expect choppy, irresolute action full of potential scares.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
Showing signs of being irresolute can signal weakness that adversaries take note of.
—Michael Poznansky, Foreign Affairs, 5 Jan. 2024
Vernon’s sea power duly secured the Panamanian export hub of Porto Bello (which would give its name to London’s Portobello Road), but the irresolute Wentworth was ignominiously defeated in his halfhearted attempts to capture Cartagena (in modern-day Colombia) and Santiago, Cuba.
—Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021
In some states, the confusion felt by providers and patients is compounded by ambiguous, irresolute language in the new and forthcoming laws themselves.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 2 July 2022
That phrase is a call back to the ancestors and an acknowledgment that you were not raised to be fearful and irresolute.
—Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2021
Sessions became unpopular within the agency for irresolute leadership, according to a 1993 New York Times article that described him as having a short attention span and being disinterested in bureaucratic details.
—Stephen Miller, Bloomberg.com, 11 June 2020
Adjective
The situation is impossible, irresolute— the B.J. Vineses and priests of the world shouldn’t get to walk away scot free.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
The prevailing sense among investors and market handicappers entering the month was to expect choppy, irresolute action full of potential scares.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
The prevailing sense among investors and market handicappers entering the month was to expect choppy, irresolute action full of potential scares.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024
Showing signs of being irresolute can signal weakness that adversaries take note of.
—Michael Poznansky, Foreign Affairs, 5 Jan. 2024
Vernon’s sea power duly secured the Panamanian export hub of Porto Bello (which would give its name to London’s Portobello Road), but the irresolute Wentworth was ignominiously defeated in his halfhearted attempts to capture Cartagena (in modern-day Colombia) and Santiago, Cuba.
—Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021
In some states, the confusion felt by providers and patients is compounded by ambiguous, irresolute language in the new and forthcoming laws themselves.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 2 July 2022
That phrase is a call back to the ancestors and an acknowledgment that you were not raised to be fearful and irresolute.
—Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2021
Sessions became unpopular within the agency for irresolute leadership, according to a 1993 New York Times article that described him as having a short attention span and being disinterested in bureaucratic details.
—Stephen Miller, Bloomberg.com, 11 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irresolute
Adjective
-
The grand jury also criticizes city officials for weak oversight and enforcement of their contract with the Humane Society, which requires the nonprofit to enforce leash laws at 400 city parks and other venues.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
-
Thanks to a weak front sliding across Central Florida, Thursday will be a bit cooler than prior days.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
That’s where the Oracle of Omaha’s other main hesitation with real estate factors in: Buying property is often a hassle.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
-
Lionel says yes, and before more than a few moments go by the two have tumbled into bed, without fear or hesitation.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
This phenomenon has been further propelled by ongoing inflation, high interest rates, and an uncertain economic outlook.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
In the early, uncertain days of COVID-19, when people were told to stay home to save lives, Lightfoot chose compassion over citations.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Noun
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But a broader cultural hesitancy about the technology’s implications meant that, once OpenAI made its breakthrough, Altman—its C.E.O.—came to be seen not only as a fiduciary steward but also as an ethical one.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
-
Many of their star performers were overworked, in part due to poor feedback loops with leadership, lack of strong team communication and an overall hesitancy to name workload imbalances.—
Woodrie Burich,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
While some organizations are understandably hesitant to abandon on-premises infrastructure entirely due to concerns over security, regulatory compliance, and data control, the reality is that maintaining an AI-ready on-premises data center often proves cost-prohibitive and operationally unfeasible.—
Ivo Ivanov,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
That prospect has left a number of moderate and vulnerable Republicans hesitant to cut a program that covers their constituents and risk facing political backlash in next year’s elections.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
This hesitance only reinforces the false narrative that race is a divisive topic rather than an integral part of understanding American society.—
Anne Tapp Jaksa,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The war plans group chat uncovered by a journalist at The Atlantic exposed some daylight between Vice President Vance and others in the administration, showing Vance’s hesitance about launching a military strike that President Trump has hailed this week as necessary and successful.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The indecisive flickering between different logos and titles adds to the sense of chaos emanating from WBD—luckily for viewers, there’s still an incredible streaming library on HBO Max (even without classic Looney Tunes).—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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As the impasse dragged on, frustrated townspeople took matters into their own hands, literally locking the indecisive cardinals inside the meeting hall and even removing the roof to speed the process.—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Live recordings, put on pause during the pandemic, haven’t yet restarted.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
-
An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students’ plans to enroll in summer and fall terms.—
Annie Ma,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irresolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irresolute. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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