Irresolute
[ɪ'rezəluːt] or [ɪ'rɛzə'lʊt]
Definition
(adj.) uncertain how to act or proceed; 'the committee was timid and mediocre and irresolute' .
Checked by Klaus--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Not resolute; not decided or determined; wavering; given to doubt or irresolution.
Typed by Arlene
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Undetermined, undecided, wavering, vacillating, unsettled, unsteady, hesitating, infirm of purpose, on the fence; waiting to see which way the cat jumps, or which way the wind blows; waiting for something to turn up.
Editor: Segre
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See RESOLUTE]
Edited by Adrian
Definition
adj. not firm in purpose.—adv. Irres′olutely.—ns. Irres′oluteness Irresolū′tion want of resolution.
Typist: Mason
Examples
- After waiting irresolute, for a minute or more, in the middle of the room, he moved to the corner near the window, where the Indian cabinet stood. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- She hung about Dixon for a minute or so, as if afraid and irresolute; then suddenly kissing her, she went quickly out of the room. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- He was an undecided, irresolute chap, who had everything but his orphan life scared out of him when he was young. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- She trembled; she stood irresolute. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- When I came to you last week and found you alone, I came determined to know the truth; though irresolute what to do when it WAS known. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- He wandered on again, irresolute and undecided, and oppressed with the fear of another solitary night. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- In an irresolute way, and stealing a clumsy look at her, Bradley rose to place a chair for her, and then returned to his own. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- He stood a moment most irresolute; then, stepping forward, took her palfrey by the rein, and bent his knee before her. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Ah---- he murmured, his head drooping again, and his irresolute hand switching at the underbrush along the lane. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- He stood irresolute, wishing suddenly to see the inside of the house, so that he might picture the room that Madame Olenska sat in. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Holmes paused irresolute, and then he glanced back at the road which he had just traversed. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- She had loitered for a few paces as though irresolute, and making up her mind to advance; but the sound determined her, and she stepped into the hall. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Abelard, a man of splendid talents, and ranking as the first debater of his time, became timid, irresolute, and distrustful of his powers. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- At length Will, seeming to bethink himself, took up his hat, yet stood some moments irresolute. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- There being still no answer, I went out at the door, irresolute what to do. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- The old man stood irresolute and uncertain for a moment, as if there might be further instructions for him in reserve. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Little Henry was in her thoughts, and a mixture of alarm and delicacy made her irresolute what else to say. Jane Austen. Emma.
- He now furtively raised his eyes: he glanced at me, irresolute, disturbed: he again surveyed the picture. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- He appeared irresolute. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- For a moment Tarzan stood irresolute, swayed by conflicting emotions of loyalty to D'Arnot and a mighty lust for the freedom of his own jungle. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- How expressive that heightened colour in her face, that fluttered manner, her downcast eyes, her irresolute happiness! Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
Typist: Mason