inconclusiveadj.
/ɪnkənˈkluːsɪv/ 1.
a. Not conclusive in argument or evidence; that does not bring to an end (a doubt, dispute, or inquiry); not decisive or convincing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > questionable state or quality > [adjective] > incapable of being decided
indeterminable1611
undeterminablea1639
undecidable1640
inconcludinga1644
indijudicable1660
undecisive1661
fallible1664
inconcludent1671
inconclusive1700
indecisive1726
1700 [implied in: J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding (new ed.) iv. xvii. 409 The weakness and inconclusiveness of a long artificial and plausible Discourse. (at inconclusiveness n.)].
1707 A. Collins Reply Clarke's Def. R. The author of the objection to that argument still thinks it inconclusive, and proposes to show its inconclusiveness in the following papers.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 969 The experiments of Duhamel and Tillet are equally inconclusive.
1855 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity V. xi. vi. 139 Long and inconclusive debates took place on the legality of a Papal abdication.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xi. 120 When evidence is inconclusive, probability becomes argument.
b. Given to inconclusion; undecided.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > [adjective]
orrathc1175
unsicker?c1225
doubtousc1374
doubtive1393
unsurec1412
uncertained1470
doubtful1509
unassured1528
scriple?a1534
unpersuadeda1535
uncertainc1540
scrupulous1559
unsatisfied1575
unresolved1587
incertaina1616
dubious1632
scrupling1641
hesitant1647
insecure1649
hesitatious1657
uncleara1658
groping1691
doubting1715
dubitative1728
gingerish1764
vague1806
duberous1818
dubitant1821
undecided1828
inconclusive1836
foreheadless1844
titubant1880
convictionless1882
swithering1917
1836 H. Taylor Statesman xxi. 142 He whose mind is not seasonably inconclusive, and cannot bear with a reasonable term of suspense, will either get wrong, or get right more tardily by means of after-thought and correction.
2. Not conclusive in action; reaching no final result or producing no conclusive effect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > [adjective]
unsped1390
unprosperous1496
speedlessa1542
successless1584
abortive1593
still-born1600
unsuccessful1617
unsuccessive1617
unsucceeding1639
insuccessful1646
birthless1649
failed1655
misproving1798
inconclusive1841
abortional1843
nonsuccessful1867
also-ran1900
1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India I. v. iii. 563 Even his Indian operations..are so far from displaying any signs of system or combination, that their desultory and inconclusive nature would lead us to deny him a comprehensive intellect.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
<
adj.1700