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

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 But after the Englishman’s first start under the Portuguese, the evidence is, as ever, inconclusive. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 There are very few studies done on biotherapies, and what is out there is primarily inconclusive or acknowledging the results as too complex to quantify. — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The scientific evidence behind that idea, however, is inconclusive. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Two more came out after his death in Los Angeles from two stab wounds to the chest, injuries that seemed self-inflicted though the coroner’s report was inconclusive. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 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
  • Instead, Denver retained possession and capitalized on the erroneous call to win.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • That a reporter or two heard of this normal process led to the erroneous inference that a change of leadership is imminent.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of erroneous
Adjective
  • Markings depicted on an image of a Kalinga warrior from an indigenous group in the Philippines were inaccurate and none of the artists involved in creating the mural identified as Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • These limitations could easily produce an analysis that is misleading or inaccurate.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of inaccurate
Adjective
  • That can include circumstances outside the property holder’s control or if the Controller’s Office gave them incorrect information.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The company says its services can produce incorrect or incomplete information.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • De Brigard would be the first to tell you that his recollection of that day may be flawed.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • And there is precedent for such a return because Romo is not the first flawed NFL analyst who faced legal troubles and worked again.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of flawed
Adjective
  • The women, many of whom were first-time surrogates, say they were given misleading or incomplete information about the couple’s family situation and intentions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Low primary turnout can also lead to unexpected results – and these results can create misleading perceptions of the election.
    — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of misleading
Adjective
  • British police acknowledged applying for the warrants under the wrong statutory provision, the judge said while stipulating that the misconduct investigation against the king's brother could continue.
    — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Doctors in Tennessee and Republican state senators called for the state to pause executions, because the chances of one going catastrophically wrong were so high.
    — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrong

Browse Nearby Words

in concert
inconclusive
inconclusiveness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inconclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inconclusive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All