irresolute
Lacking firm commitment
Irresolute means unable to make firm decisions or commit to a course of action.
An irresolute leader wavers when circumstances demand decisiveness.
The word suggests weakness of will rather than thoughtful deliberation: She remained irresolute, unable to choose between the two offers.
The opposite is resolute—determined and unwavering.
Swaying between choices
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
- hesitantSlow to act
- undecidedNot having chosen
- ambivalentHaving contradictory feelings
wavering · uncommitted · noncommittal · equivocating · wishy-washy · fence-sitting · shilly-shallying · conflicted
Shifting irregularly over time
- oscillatingSwinging back and forth
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
wobbly · mercurial · erratic · capricious · volatile · unpredictable · flighty · variable
Slow to act
- cautiousCareful to avoid risk
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- guardedWary and restrained
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
exploratory · probing · halting · gingerly · timid · uncertain · unassertive · diffident
vacillating
Swaying between choices
ambivalent · wavering · uncommitted · noncommittal · equivocating · wishy-washy · fence-sitting · shilly-shallying · conflicted · torn
fluctuating
Shifting irregularly over time
- oscillatingSwinging back and forth
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
unsteady · wobbly · mercurial · erratic · capricious · volatile · unpredictable · flighty · variable · mutable
hesitant
Slow to act
provisional · exploratory · probing · halting · gingerly · timid · uncertain · unassertive · diffident · meek
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
irresoluteresolute
Fixed in purpose
determined · decisive · steadfast · unwavering · firm