inconclusive

adjective

Definition of inconclusivenext
as in erroneous
not showing that something is certainly true The results of the test proved inconclusive. an inconclusive argument

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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 inconclusive Whether law enforcement body cameras reduce use of force overall is inconclusive, analysts found. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026 Even inconclusive results can lead to future diagnoses as science advances. — Eliza Goldwasser, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026 Soon, Maduro cracked down on Guaidó’s inner circle, and the opposition submitted to another round of inconclusive talks. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 The effectiveness of probiotics depends on the specific strain, dose, and individual, and evidence for preventing travelers’ diarrhea remains inconclusive. — T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inconclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inconclusive
  1. erroneous
  2. inaccurate
  3. incorrect
  4. flawed
  5. misleading
  6. wrong
Adjective
  • Reports based on the erroneous California Crash Reporting System entry surfaced Monday night, prompting Shanahan to address the crash Tuesday.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • However, the vast majority of these folks did not actually vote, and many asked for their erroneous registrations to be purged, contrary to the Republican fantasy that millions of noncitizens are all gunning to illegally vote.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
Definition of erroneous
Adjective
  • However, working against the backup units, Kilgore has found himself around the ball quite a bit, even picking off an inaccurate pass from Shane Buechele on Saturday.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Rank's defense argued that video from the security camera and from body cameras on scene clearly demonstrated that Special Agent Berger's version of events was inaccurate.
    — Conor Wight, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of inaccurate
Adjective
  • At the World Cup, there were at least six examples of incorrect or — to be generous — highly dubious interventions that made reasonable on-field decisions worse across the 104 matches.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • In September, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services sent a notice denying her coverage, citing incorrect income information and stating she wasn't disabled, according to Kolosova and state documents reviewed by KFF Health News.
    — Rachana Pradhan, NPR, 20 July 2026
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • Waller correctly identifies the futility of adding more experts to central planning, which is inherently flawed, but mistakenly believes the Fed could be better without these panels.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Best known for playing the flawed but fiercely loyal Fiona Gallagher on the Showtime dramedy Shameless, Rossum has always gravitated towards imperfect heroines.
    — Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of flawed
Adjective
  • Spanish officials have blamed traffickers for spreading similar misleading information, and there is a growing suspicion that Moroccan authorities initially failed to stop the crowds, intentionally allowing the surge to grow.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Pruitt’s interest in opera is genuine, but the flourish is misleading.
    — Carson Griffith, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Definition of misleading
Adjective
  • Seneca, the Roman philosopher, argued that people kept getting the message of Homer’s epic poems wrong.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • One person was killed and two others were critically injured when a wrong-way driver crashed into several other vehicles on Friday evening on the Dan Ryan Expressway on the South Side of Chicago.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrong

Browse Nearby Words

in concert
inconclusive
inconclusiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Inconclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inconclusive. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inconclusive

Nglish: Translation of inconclusive for Spanish Speakers

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