What does inconclusive mean?
Inconclusive describes information, results, discussions, or investigations that do not provide a definite answer. It is especially common in academic, scientific, legal, and governmental contexts, where evidence or findings may fail to establish whether something is true or to settle a disputed question. Saying that a result is inconclusive does not necessarily mean that it is useless; it indicates that the evidence is insufficiently clear, reliable, or substantial to support a firm conclusion. The word can also describe negotiations or meetings that fail to produce agreement. Its related noun, conclusiveness, describes the quality of being able to establish a result, while the adverb inconclusively describes an action performed without reaching a definite conclusion. Because the term focuses on the absence of sufficient evidence or resolution, it should be distinguished from simply incorrect: an inconclusive result may later be clarified by stronger evidence.
adjectiveNot conclusive or decisive; unable to establish a definite result or conclusion.
- Unable to establish a definite conclusion or resolve a question.
- Uncertain or lacking enough evidence to produce a firm decision.
"The investigators called the findings inconclusive and declined to draw firm conclusions."
"The preliminary tests were inconclusive, so further research was required."
"Officials described the meeting as inconclusive after the two sides failed to reach agreement."
When a study is inconclusive, the absence of a firm answer can be as important as the evidence itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inconclusive come from?
The word comes from the Latin verb concludere, meaning “to conclude” or “to close,” which was borrowed into English in the late Middle Ages. The combining form in- before the Latin root con- expresses opposition or negation, so the adjective literally means “not conclusive.” The same Latin root produced conclusion, conclude, and conclusive, as well as the less common conclusory. The sense “not settling a question” developed from the idea of an argument or proof failing to reach a final determination.
Related word forms
How inconclusive is actually used
Common in formal and academic contexts, especially when describing evidence, results, findings, tests, discussions, or negotiations. It indicates that the available information does not support a definite conclusion rather than necessarily suggesting that no conclusion is possible.
Easily confused with inconclusive
Inconclusive results or evidence do not settle a question, whereas conclusive evidence is sufficient to support a definite conclusion.