nondecision

noun

non·​de·​ci·​sion ˌnän-di-ˈsi-zhən How to pronounce nondecision (audio)
1
: an inadequate decision : a statement or determination that is presented as a decision but that avoids or leaves unresolved the issue being considered
The Court promoted uncertainty … with its nondecision a year later …Alan Freeman
2
: failure to make a decision
… asked the board to second both motions so the board could vote and everyone could move on. It didn't happen. Frustrated with the nondecision, the 20 or so residents who attended for that issue left …Lenore T. Adkins

Examples of nondecision in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
To emphasize her disgust with the court’s nondecision, Sotomayor penned a dissent, joined by Breyer, explaining why Alabama’s treatment of Arthur likely violates the Constitution. Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Magazine, 21 Feb. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of nondecision was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near nondecision

Cite this Entry

“Nondecision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nondecision. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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