indeterminate
Lacking clear bounds
Indeterminate means not precisely fixed or established.
An indeterminate sentence has no set release date.
An indeterminate number of people attended—we don't know exactly how many.
In botany, indeterminate growth continues indefinitely rather than stopping at a predetermined size.
The word suggests something that remains open, unresolved, or impossible to pin down with certainty.
Unclear, ill-defined
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- blurryIndistinct, lacking definition
- fuzzySoft and unclear
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
indefinite · unclear · hazy · murky · muddled · shadowy · sketchy · unfocused
Not firmly known
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
hesitant · wavering · vacillating · irresolute · unconfirmed · unsettled · speculative · questionable
Having multiple interpretations
- equivocalUncertain in meaning
- crypticObscure in meaning
- enigmaticPuzzling and obscure
- obscureUnknown to most
opaque · inscrutable · indecipherable · polysemous · multivalent · puzzling
Prone to fluctuation
- unfixedNot fastened or settled
- changeableCapable of alteration
- fluctuatingShifting irregularly over time
- fluidSubstance that flows
mutable · inconstant · unpredictable · unstable · shifting · varying · inconsistent · erratic
vague
Unclear, ill-defined
imprecise · indefinite · unclear · hazy · murky · muddled · shadowy · sketchy · unfocused · ill-defined
uncertain
Not firmly known
indecisive · hesitant · wavering · vacillating · irresolute · unconfirmed · unsettled · speculative · questionable · inconclusive
ambiguous
Having multiple interpretations
obscure · opaque · inscrutable · indecipherable · polysemous · multivalent · puzzling
variable
Prone to fluctuation
- unfixedNot fastened or settled
- changeableCapable of alteration
- fluctuatingShifting irregularly over time
fluid · mutable · inconstant · unpredictable · unstable · shifting · varying · inconsistent · erratic · unset
unopened
Not yet accessed
- immatureNot fully developed
- unripenedNot yet fully developed
- undevelopedNot fully formed
- Imprecisevague, fuzzy, rough, hazy, murky
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
- medical resultspositive, negative, normal, abnormal, inconclusive
- Unknown Statusmissing, pending, unconfirmed, unverified, uncertain
- Vaguenessvague, unclear, ambiguous, uncertain, nebulous
- CSS Selectorshover, active, visited, link, checked
indeterminatedefinite
Clearly established, not vague
precise · exact · determinate · specific · specified
indeterminatecertain
Free from doubt
conclusive · definitive · determined · decided · settled
indeterminatefixed
Restored or immovable
determined · settled · decided · set · stipulated
indeterminacy, indeterminable, indeterminately, indeterminably