nondecision
Refusal to choose
A nondecision is a failure or refusal to make a decision, especially when a decision is needed or expected.
The term often implies that avoiding choice is itself consequential—that not deciding amounts to a decision by default: The committee's nondecision left the policy unchanged.
In organizational contexts, nondecisions can be strategic, keeping controversial issues off the agenda entirely.
Act of delaying action
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- postponementDelaying to later
- tablingDeferring formal discussion
stalling · deflection · buck-passing · fence-sitting · waffling · equivocation · hedging · foot-dragging
Appointed group for duties
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
stalemate · logjam · procedural · rubber-stamping · pigeonholing · interdepartmental · quorum · tabling
Loss of muscle function
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
overwhelm · vacillation · passivity · anxiety · dithering · second-guessing · freezing · procrastination
Forcible prevention or concealment
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- silencingStopping noise or dissent
- gatekeepingControlling access to something
deferral
Act of delaying action
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- postponementDelaying to later
tabling · stalling · deflection · buck-passing · fence-sitting · waffling · equivocation · hedging · foot-dragging · shelving
committee
Appointed group for duties
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
gridlock · stalemate · logjam · procedural · rubber-stamping · pigeonholing · interdepartmental · quorum · tabling · agenda-setting
paralysis
Loss of muscle function
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
avoidance · overwhelm · vacillation · passivity · anxiety · dithering · second-guessing · freezing · procrastination · inertia
suppression
Forcible prevention or concealment
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- silencingStopping noise or dissent
nondecisiondecision
Settled course of action
verdict · ruling · judgment · determination · resolution
nondecisiondecisive action
Firm choice, promptly executed
commitment · choice · stand · firm stance · declaration
decide, decision, decisive, indecisive, decider, undecided, decidedly, indecision, decisions