fence sitting
Refusing to choose
Fence sitting is remaining neutral or uncommitted when a decision or stance is expected.
The image is of someone perched on a fence between two properties, belonging to neither side.
It usually carries a negative connotation—suggesting evasion or cowardice rather than thoughtful deliberation: Stop fence sitting and tell us where you stand.
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- neutralNot favoring any side
- hesitantSlow to act
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
wishy-washy · ambivalent · straddling · middle-ground · hedging · hedging bets · noncommittal · undecided · torn · waffling · having it both ways · equivocating · lukewarm · cautious · playing it safe · timid · spineless · diplomatic
- Noncommittalneutral, undecided, noncommittal, indifferent, uncommitted
- political tacticscampaigning, gerrymandering, filibuster, campaigns, voter suppression
- hedginghedging, hedge, hedges, hedge bet, qualifier
- avoidanceavoidance, distancing, evasion, dodging, pulling away
- conflict responsesavoidance, confrontation, compromise, accommodation, aggression
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
fence sittingtaking sides
Favoring one party
commitment · partisanship · advocacy · zealotry · firm stance
fence sittingdecisiveness
Ability to choose firmly
resolution · determination · taking sides · commitment · taking action
fence sittinggoing out on a limb
Risking reputation for belief
boldness · courage of one's convictions · taking a risk · betting the farm · gambling
fence, sitting, fencing, fenced, fences, sitter, sitters, babysitting, fence-sitter