What would best describe a collective lack of clarity or direction?

The term that best describes a collective lack of clarity or direction is "tenuous." This word is often used to refer to situations that are weak, uncertain, or lacking a firm basis. In contexts where there is confusion or ambiguity, a tenuous understanding or lack of direction implies that the foundations or agreements are shaky or unclear, leading to a situation that lacks solid guidance.

In contrast, the other terms have distinct meanings that do not align with this concept. "Tacit" refers to something understood or implied without being spoken, which doesn’t relate to clarity or direction. "Superfluous" indicates something that is unnecessary or excessive, which also does not imply lack of clarity or direction. "Stymie" means to thwart or hinder progress, which is more about obstruction than the lack of clarity in understanding or direction. Thus, "tenuous" is the most fitting choice for describing a situation characterized by a collective lack of clarity or direction.