irresolute

UK/ɪˈrɛz.əˌl(j)uːt/US/ɪˈrɛz.əˌl(j)uːt/

adjectiveC1Very rare — outside the 30,000 commonest English words, so you will meet it in writing rather than in speech — resolute sits at #9,995Too rare in one of the two pools to compare — fewer than 20 uses in speech or in writing

Irresolute means unable to make up your mind. An irresolute leader, irresolute at the crucial moment, hesitant and irresolute.

It is a criticism of character rather than of one decision, which is what makes it so damaging about a leader. It is the negative of resolute, and the two are rarely used of anything but people.

Definitions of irresolute

1adjectiveirresoluteUnable to make up your mind.C1
“The irresolute captain couldn't decide whether to attack or retreat, and the chance was lost.”

irresolute is a quality.

Also accepted in games: indecisive

Where it comes from

In-, not, plus resolute, from Latin resolutus, from resolvere, to loosen or settle.

French
irrésolu
English, today
irresolute

1580. Borrowed from French irrésolu or composed from ir + resolute.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

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