What does inconclusively mean?
Inconclusively means in a way that fails to establish a definite result or answer. It is commonly used to describe investigations, discussions, tests, and negotiations that leave important questions unresolved. The word suggests not merely that an outcome was uncertain, but that the available evidence or debate did not produce a firm conclusion. For example, a medical test may be described as inconclusively if its results do not clearly identify the cause of a patient’s symptoms. The adverb is especially common in formal reporting and academic contexts, where it helps describe the limits of evidence or discussion without assigning blame or offering a speculative answer.
adverbIn a way that does not settle a question or produce a definite result. It describes an investigation, discussion, or outcome that leaves the matter unresolved.
- Without producing a definite conclusion or result.
"The inquiry ended inconclusively, leaving investigators without enough evidence to identify the cause."
"The tests were inconclusive, so the researchers repeated the experiment."
"The meeting ended inconclusively, with both sides still disagreeing about the best approach."
When an investigation is inconclusively, it leaves every suspect in the uncomfortable middle: the evidence points somewhere, but nowhere decisive enough.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inconclusively come from?
“Inconclusively” is formed from the adjective “inconclusive,” which combines the prefix “in-” with “conclusive.” “Conclusive” comes from Latin conclusivus, derived from concludere, meaning “to conclude” or “to settle.” The adverbial suffix “-ly” was added when the adjective was converted into an adverb in the usual English way.
Related word forms
How inconclusively is actually used
Common in formal and professional contexts, especially in reports and academic writing. It is less natural in casual speech, where one might simply say that something was unclear or did not settle the issue.
Easily confused with inconclusively
“Inconclusive” is an adjective describing a result or discussion, while “inconclusively” is an adverb describing how something happens.