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
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
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
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
-
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
-
Cleanup crews noted the tree’s root system was very weak.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This kind of training helps eliminate hesitation in critical moments.—
Oleg Fonarov,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
For all his apparent hesitation, though, and his acknowledgment of the problems related to sports betting, Baker is also charged with helping his organization maximize profits.—
Made by History,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
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
-
Tshisekedi and Kagame held a surprise face-to-face meeting in Qatar on March 18, but the prospect of a peaceful resolution is still uncertain.—
Emmet Livingstone,
The Dial,
20 Mar. 2025
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
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
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
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
Noun
-
And with Russia’s Vladimir Putin failing to agree to a full pause in the fighting with Ukraine, signs point to a continuing war and uncertain American support for Ukraine.—
Ella Polak,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The pandemic provided a reprieve for millions of student loan borrowers, as stimulus checks and payment pauses allowed many of them to bring down their balances.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irresolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irresolute. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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