inconclusive
adjective
in·con·clu·sive
ˌin-kən-ˈklü-siv 
-ziv
: leading to no conclusion or definite result
inconclusive evidence
an inconclusive argument
inconclusively
adverb
inconclusiveness
noun
Examples of inconclusive in a Sentence
The results of the test were inconclusive.
The first two rounds of the boxing match were inconclusive.
Recent Examples on the Web
The results of that autopsy were inconclusive, but the gruesome events leading up to Wagner’s death were caught on jail video and have never been reported until now.
—
Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Willis has disputed the implication of the data, which, according to some experts, is inconclusive anyway.
—Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
Dupuis, in an interview, stressed that the initial random-sampling method was inconclusive — meaning there’s no reason to be confident one way or another about whether the threshold was met.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024
In fact, inconclusive or mixed results seem to be a recurring pattern when researching this subject.
—Annie Margaret, The Conversation, 15 Feb. 2024
The outlook for the rest of the year remains inconclusive.
—Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2024
In American Nightmare, it was later revealed that the results of the polygraph exam were actually inconclusive.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024
This has previously been observed in little brown bats and noctule bats, but since Fasel et al. did not take a vaginal swab to test for the presence of sperm, this observation is inconclusive.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Nov. 2023
Many American studies and European studies reach the same conclusions: In high doses, caffeine can have negative health effects for children and adults, the effect of caffeine on childhood development is inconclusive, and small amounts of caffeine are well tolerated in adults and children.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024
Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Willis has disputed the implication of the data, which, according to some experts, is inconclusive anyway.
—Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
Dupuis, in an interview, stressed that the initial random-sampling method was inconclusive — meaning there’s no reason to be confident one way or another about whether the threshold was met.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024
In fact, inconclusive or mixed results seem to be a recurring pattern when researching this subject.
—Annie Margaret, The Conversation, 15 Feb. 2024
The outlook for the rest of the year remains inconclusive.
—Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2024
In American Nightmare, it was later revealed that the results of the polygraph exam were actually inconclusive.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024
This has previously been observed in little brown bats and noctule bats, but since Fasel et al. did not take a vaginal swab to test for the presence of sperm, this observation is inconclusive.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Nov. 2023
Many American studies and European studies reach the same conclusions: In high doses, caffeine can have negative health effects for children and adults, the effect of caffeine on childhood development is inconclusive, and small amounts of caffeine are well tolerated in adults and children.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inconclusive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inconclusive
Cite this Entry
“Inconclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inconclusive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inconclusive
adjective
in·con·clu·sive
ˌin-kən-ˈklü-siv
-ziv
: not leading to a definite conclusion or result
inconclusive evidence
inconclusively
adverb
inconclusiveness
noun
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