INDECISION Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

indecision

noun

ˌin-di-ˈsi-zhən

Definition of indecision

as in hesitation

a state or an instance of temporary inaction about the right course of action her indecision about where to go for dinner, while everyone was getting hungrier by the minute, was frustrating

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of indecision They are forced to confront their indecision about becoming parents when their divorced friend (Kate Berlant) and her daughter move in with them. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 True commitment allows strategies to develop and succeed, as indecision hinders progress. — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The challenge is to shift from delay and indecision to implementation. — Valerie Pryor, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 Jacobs’s knack for transformation may strike some as indecision. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indecision

Recent Examples of Synonyms for indecision

Noun

At first, it’s seen in Soulan’s hesitation at accepting children from other villages to his class — then in his rage at his mother for feeding guests at the potential expense of the children’s meals.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
The new work is a radical take on aging and femininity, an uncut hit of Cindy Sherman—despite, or maybe even because of, her initial hesitation.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Noun

Opposition or hesitancy has been less focused on Hasan's death sentence which has broad support among Republicans, but on the decision to broadcast it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Consider the party’s hesitancy in addressing the financial ramifications of China’s demographic decline.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitancy

Noun

However, Pritzker’s hesitance to deploy a comprehensive solution to data centers could be his Achilles’ heel in the primaries.

— Patrick McNamara, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Dexter grapples with killing her, but Rudy eventually can’t handle Dexter’s hesitance and takes the knife into his own hands—and nearly plunges it into Debra’s chest before Dexter stops him.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

Definition of hesitance

Noun

Trump told Congress that the pause was in the national interest but gave no further details.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Decades later, the character helped Harris navigate a daunting first feature — including a two-week production pause to overhaul a story that was not yet working.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of pause

Browse Nearby Words

indecipherable

indecision

indecisive

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Indecision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indecision. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of indecision

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes