conclusive

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adjective con·clu·sive \ kən-ˈklü-siv , -ziv \

Definition of conclusive

1 :of, relating to, or being a conclusion

2 :putting an end to debate or question especially by reason of irrefutability

The results were not conclusive.

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conclusively

adverb

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conclusiveness

noun

See conclusive defined for English-language learners

See conclusive defined for kids

Examples of conclusive in a Sentence

the archeological discovery was conclusive proof that the Vikings had indeed settled in North America around 1000 a.d.
a conclusive argument for allowing the students to put on a play of their own choosing

Recent Examples of conclusive from the Web

Officials remarked on a lack of conclusive evidence that underlying inflation is on a sustained upward trend, even though there are some tentative signs of a pickup.

— piotr skolimowski, Bloomberg.com, "ECB Officials Expressed Concern Over Risk of Euro Overshoot," 17 Aug. 2017
The results demonstrated taking a DHA fish oil supplement now has been proven to drop markers of sub-conclusive blows.

— NOLA.com, "Optimum Performance: Is one blow to the head too many in football?," 11 Aug. 2017
But the paper also suggests there may be an exception, as the data hints at a Neptune-sized exomoon, though the statistics aren't yet conclusive.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Kepler data may hold a Neptune-sized surprise, our first exomoon," 31 July 2017
In the same way that elite institutions have congratulated themselves as sites where merit flourished, American society held up Barack Obama as conclusive evidence that power is indeed colorblind.

— michelle weber, Longreads, "The Colorblind Whitewashers of American History," 22 July 2017
But in that case, a shaky camera during the fatal shot made the footage difficult to interpret, and juries twice failed to come to a conclusive verdict in separate trials.

— eric levenson, CNN, "Minneapolis police shooting exposes flaws of body cameras," 19 July 2017
In a March interview, however, Chapman wasn’t nearly as conclusive.

— j. harry jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Escondido homeowners sue city, developer over winter flooding," 19 July 2017
Most disappointing is the clear efficacy of the deniers’ brazen tactics: Most people have no idea how conclusive the evidence is on climate change.

— talmon joseph smith, GQ, "Trump’s EPA Chief Is Considering a Televised “Debate” on Climate Change to Legitimize Deniers," 13 July 2017
But how did this dramatic image of a phrase become synonymous in everyday speech with conclusive proof?

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "More Than a Century of ‘Smoking Guns’," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conclusive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of conclusive

see conclude

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First Known Use: 1536

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conclusive Synonyms

Synonyms

absolute, clear, deciding, decisive, definitive, last

Antonyms

inconclusive, indecisive, unclear

Near Antonyms

debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, moot, problematic (also problematical), questionable, refutable; ambiguous, equivocal; controversial, debated, disputed

Synonym Discussion of conclusive

conclusive, decisive, determinative, definitive mean bringing to an end. conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.

- conclusive evidence

decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.

- a decisive battle

determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction.

- the determinative factor in the court's decision

definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.

- the definitive biography

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

CONCLUSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

conclusive

play

adjective

Definition of conclusive for English Language Learners

: showing that something is certainly true

CONCLUSIVE Defined for Kids

conclusive

play

adjective con·clu·sive \ kən-ˈklü-siv \

Definition of conclusive for Students

:decisive 1

Police found conclusive evidence.

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conclusively

adverb

This conclusively proves her innocence.

Law Dictionary

conclusive

adjective con·clu·sive

legal Definition of conclusive

1 :of, relating to, or being a conclusion

2 :putting an end to debate or question especially by reason of inability to be refuted

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conclusively

adverb

—

conclusiveness

noun

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See words that rhyme with conclusive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for conclusive Spanish Central: Translation of conclusive Nglish: Translation of conclusive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of conclusive for Arabic speakers

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Examples of conclusive in a Sentence

Recent Examples of conclusive from the Web

Origin and Etymology of conclusive

conclusive Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of conclusive

Other Legal Terms

CONCLUSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

conclusive

Definition of conclusive for English Language Learners

CONCLUSIVE Defined for Kids

conclusive

Definition of conclusive for Students

conclusively

Law Dictionary

conclusive

legal Definition of conclusive

conclusively

conclusiveness

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