indisposed

adjective

in·​dis·​posed ˌin-di-ˈspōzd 

1

: slightly ill

—often used to politely excuse someone's absence without giving a specific reason

I'm sorry he couldn't make it. He's indisposed.

2

: averse

—usually followed by to + a verb

Officials were indisposed to grant their request.

Synonyms of indisposed

• reluctant
• hesitant
• unwilling

Examples of indisposed in a Sentence

one person in our reading group is very indisposed to suggesting a book

stays home from work whenever he feels the least indisposed

Recent Examples on the Web

With one of the lowest economic-growth rates in the country, and much of its wealth tied to an indisposed coal industry, West Virginia is an unlikely champion of dynamism. —Jordan McGillis, National Review, 29 Sep. 2022

Paul Soper admirably stepped in at the last moment to take on the role of the Abbot for an indisposed James Demler. —BostonGlobe.com, 24 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for indisposed

• misdiagnosed
• overexposed
• superimposed
• undecomposed
• apposed
• bulldozed
• composed
• deposed
• disclosed
• disposed
• enclosed
• exposed

Kids Definition

indisposed

adjective

in·​dis·​posed ˌin-dis-ˈpōzd 

1

: slightly ill

2

: unwilling

was indisposed to help

Medical Definition

indisposed

adjective

in·​dis·​posed ˌin-dis-ˈpōzd 

: being usually temporarily in poor physical health : slightly ill

indisposition

(ˌ)in-ˌdis-pə-ˈzish-ən 

noun