irresolute 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of irresolutenext
as in weak
formal not certain about what to do; not resolute He has been criticized as an irresolute leader.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

irresolution

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of irresolute
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irresolute
  1. weak
  2. hesitation
  3. uncertain
  4. hesitancy
  5. hesitant
  6. hesitance
  7. indecisive
  8. pause
Adjective
  • Murena Pixel Tablet And Third-Party Apps The ecosystem for Android tablets is weaker than that of Android smartphones.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The health infrastructure that the U.S. would have to marshal against them is already weak.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of weak
Noun
  • This kind of training helps eliminate hesitation in critical moments.
    — Oleg Fonarov, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Use Your Mouth Nothing kills intensity like hesitation.
    — Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of hesitation
Adjective
  • Executive order spurs uncertain moment The executive order comes as the Cass County Historical Society is about seven months into its year-long grant.
    — Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Its most recent Life’s Good campaign draws on a universal theme – encouraging optimism and positivity in an uncertain environment in a way that fosters mutual support.
    — Charles Taylor, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncertain
Noun
  • That's an encouraging step, but consistency on the importance of vaccination is needed to overcome current levels of public hesitancy.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The team’s hesitancy stemmed, in part, from its existing collection of nine-figure contracts.
    — Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of hesitancy
Adjective
  • But European governments remain hesitant about confiscating the capital.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
  • For those hesitant about sprinting due to fear of injury, here is a simple progression to help get started safely.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of hesitant
Noun
  • Some Republican lawmakers have expressed hesitance to focus on a DOGE dividend rather than lowering the national deficit or expanding tax cuts, according to Forbes.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Soren Toft and Vincent Clerc, the CEOs of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk, respectively, have called out the lack of safety guarantees as the top reason for their hesitance to return.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of hesitance
Adjective
  • This lack of predictability, this erratic behavior and this - and the indecisive decision making that's being made is already having very real impact on cost.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Even her bark is indecisive, like a steam whistle that vacillates between two unpleasant notes.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of indecisive
Noun
  • Since then, The Bachelorette has had 21 seasons and 23 leads (Seasons 16 and 19 had two Bachelorettes) until February 2025 when news broke that ABC had put the series on pause.
    — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 17 Mar. 2025
  • According to fans at the show, an announcer told the crowd that the unplanned pause was due to an electrical fire and said Journey would continue the show, ABC 13 Houston reported.
    — Bailey Richards, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of pause

Browse Nearby Words

irresistible
irresolute
irresoluteness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irresolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irresolute. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on irresolute

Nglish: Translation of irresolute for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All