indecision

noun

in·​de·​ci·​sion ˌin-di-ˈsi-zhən 

: a wavering between two or more possible courses of action : irresolution

Synonyms of indecision

• hesitation
• hesitancy
• hesitance
• pause

Examples of indecision in a Sentence

They were paralyzed by indecision.

her indecision about where to go for dinner, while everyone was getting hungrier by the minute, was frustrating

Recent Examples on the Web

Arguably the grounding piece in your living room, couch shopping naturally tends to bring out the indecision in all of us. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026

One way is to create a one-page emergency plan, a cheat sheet of all the details, routines and practices necessary to -prevent delay and indecision during emergencies. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Feb. 2026

This hesitation was not the result of vacillating between options in indecision, but an active and regulated brain process to pause before acting due to environmental uncertainty. —Eric Yttri, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026

Every meeting that ends with indecision and another meeting? —Shani Harmon, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French indécision, from indécis undecided, from Late Latin indecisus, from Latin in- + decisus, past participle of decidere to decide

First Known Use

circa 1763, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for indecision

• cablevision
• circumcision
• imprecision
• subdivision
• supervision
• television
• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision

Kids Definition

indecision

noun

in·​de·​ci·​sion ˌin-di-ˈsizh-ən 

: slowness or trouble in making up one's mind