inconclusive

adjective

in·​con·​clu·​sive ˌin-kən-ˈklü-siv 

-ziv

: leading to no conclusion or definite result

inconclusive test results

inconclusive evidence

an inconclusive argument

inconclusively adverb

inconclusiveness noun

Examples of inconclusive in a Sentence

The results of the test were inconclusive.

The first two rounds of the boxing match were inconclusive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Court records show the church's initial investigation into the boys' report was inconclusive, and Hamilton later said in a debate he was not involved in the decision to allow the volunteer to return. — Grace Hills, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

The results of an autopsy performed on Tuesday were inconclusive and were pending further testing, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. — Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

The city Medical Examiner’s initial autopsy was inconclusive, with more tests now needed to determine her cause of death, a spokesperson for the agency said. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026

Though previous studies had found that these included coca leaves—from which cocaine is derived—tests for other substances had been largely inconclusive or negative. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inconclusive

• nonexclusive
• unobtrusive
• abusive
• allusive
• collusive
• conclusive
• conducive
• delusive
• diffusive
• elusive
• exclusive
• extrusive

Kids Definition

inconclusive

adjective

in·​con·​clu·​sive ˌin-kən-ˈklü-siv 

-ziv

: not leading to a definite conclusion or result

inconclusive evidence

inconclusively adverb

inconclusiveness noun