as in weak
formal
not certain about what to do; not resolute
He has been criticized as an irresolute leader.
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Recent Examples of irresolute
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
In short, Obama’s apparent restraint appears irresolute, whereas Putin comes across as a strong, decisive master strategist who exploits Obama’s weakness and keeps Washington off balance.
—Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2015
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
More unsettling than terrifying, the story (by the directors and Sergio Casci) builds to a leisurely, irresolute and unsatisfying climax.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2020
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
In short, Obama’s apparent restraint appears irresolute, whereas Putin comes across as a strong, decisive master strategist who exploits Obama’s weakness and keeps Washington off balance.
—Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2015
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
More unsettling than terrifying, the story (by the directors and Sergio Casci) builds to a leisurely, irresolute and unsatisfying climax.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irresolute
Adjective
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Similarly, 5GHz signals were strong in the central areas but became weaker in the garage, the den, and the kitchen area.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
11 Mar. 2025
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As the market sell-off gains steam, a handful of quality stocks could outperform and buck the broader weak trend for equities, according to Bernstein.—
Brian Evans,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
-
Listen to this article University of Maryland Athletic Director Damon Evans is likely leaving to take the same position at Southern Methodist University, according to Terps men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard, who’s dealing with speculation about his own uncertain future in College Park.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
-
But European governments remain hesitant about confiscating the capital.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Even her bark is indecisive, like a steam whistle that vacillates between two unpleasant notes.—
Frank C. Hibben,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Threat level: Cover your plants, drip your faucets and bring in your pets — and check on your neighbors, especially ones who are infirm.—
Asher Price,
Axios,
18 Feb. 2025
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With their branches weighted down by snow, his evergreens are infirm but not yet fallen—still here after the storm.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
5 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irresolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irresolute. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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