Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Unsure of how to act or proceed; undecided.
  • adjective Lacking in resolution; indecisive.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Not resolute or firm in purpose; unable to form a resolution; wavering; given to doubt or hesitation.
  • Synonyms Vacillating, hesitating, undecided, unsettled, faltering.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Not resolute; not decided or determined; wavering; given to doubt or irresolution.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Undecided or unsure how to act
  • adjective Indecisive or lacking in resolution

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective uncertain how to act or proceed

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

c 1580, from French irrésolu or ir- +‎ resolute

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Examples

  • Liz, a slender slip of a creature, large-eyed, and woe-begone, stood up before him staring at him in irresolute wretchedness, as he seated himself.

    That Lass o' Lowrie's: A Lancashire Story 1877

  • As to being "irresolute" I've heard worse and from a better bunch than this.

    Pirates defeated. Ann Althouse 2009

  • As to being "irresolute" I've heard worse and from a better bunch than this.

    Pirates defeated. Ann Althouse 2009

  • As to being "irresolute" I've heard worse and from a better bunch than this.

    Pirates defeated. Ann Althouse 2009

  • She held out her hand to Donal with a kind of irresolute motion, but withdrawing it, smiled almost beseechingly, and said,

    Donal Grant, by George MacDonald George MacDonald 1864

  • They tried not to be publicly judgmental about the character of the incumbent president, but they believed his celebrated political talents disguised an immature and irresolute nature.

    O: A Presidential Novel Anonymous 2011

  • Unsure what to do, the central authorities used what tools they had in counterproductive ways—irresolute and unpredictable stabs of force along with unenforceable attempts at economic blackmail.

    The Return Daniel Treisman 2011

  • After all, only a hopelessly dysfunctional, politically riven and terminally confused and irresolute society would respond to naked aggression by an oppressive Arab tyranny against its neighbor by launching a large-scale invasion, only to abruptly end hostilities with the aggressor government intact and still in power, settling instead for a long-term blockade to prevent the aggressor from rearming.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » More on Israeli Incompetence 2010

  • I knew that every minute was precious to me, yet I remained irresolute in what manner to commence the interview; when the old man addressed me — 'By your language, stranger, I suppose you are my countryman; — are you French?'

    Chapter 15 2010

  • O never appeared surprised by events or irresolute in adversity.

    O: A Presidential Novel Anonymous 2011

Comments

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  • Please check the way your seaking irresolute sounds speaker has said irrevolute, is that correct?

    June 4, 2012

  • Hesitant or uncertain

    July 8, 2014