irresolution

I1R1R1E1S1O1L1U1T1I1O1N1
UK/ɪɹɛzəˈluːʃən/

noun

Lack of resolution; lack of decision or purpose; vacillation.

Similar
indecisionindecisivenessirresoluteness
OriginMiddle French irresolution →
RareScrabble 12
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounirresolution (countable and uncountable, plural irresolutions)

plural irresolutions

  1. countableuncountableLack of resolution; lack of decision or purpose; vacillation.

    Again he paced the chamber; but an involuntary movement of awe and inquietude constantly led his eye towards the alcove. He drew near it with irresolution.

    1796, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Folio Society, published 1985, page 238

Synonyms & antonyms

noundoubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action

Similar
indecisionindecisiveness
Broader
doubtuncertaintyincertitude

nounthe trait of being irresolute; lacking firmness of purpose

Similar
irresoluteness
Broader
trait
Also see
hesitationindecisionindecisivenessirresoluteness

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Middle Frenchirresolution
  2. Englishirresolution

Probably from Middle French irresolution (modern French irrésolution), from ir- + resolution (“resolution”); compare Italian irresoluzione. By surface analysis, ir- + resolution.

More words from Middle French

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Ancient Greek ἀβουλία
  • ἀβουλία (aboulía)lack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
Bulgarian нерешителност, несигурност
  • нерешителност (nerešitelnost)lack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
  • несигурност (nesigurnost)lack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
Catalan irresolució
  • irresoluciólack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
French irrésolution
  • irrésolutionlack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
Italian irresoluzione
  • irresoluzionelack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
Polish niezdecydowanie
  • niezdecydowanielack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
Spanish irresolución
  • irresoluciónlack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
Ukrainian нерішу́чість
  • нерішу́чість (nerišúčistʹ)lack of resolution or decision — see also indecision
Cite this entry
APA

irresolution. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irresolution

MLA

“irresolution.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irresolution. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “irresolution,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irresolution.

Source: irresolution on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.