deciding factor
noun
1
: something that causes someone to make a particular decision
The deciding factor was cost.
His lack of experience was the deciding factor in my decision not to hire him.
2
: something that causes something to end a particular way
His home run was the deciding factor in the game.
Examples of deciding factor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For anyone weighing weekend options, that score suggests personal taste will be the deciding factor.
—
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
Exterior color can be a deciding factor in choosing a car.
—Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
This forced the British to make jibes to get down to the bottom of the course while the Americans jibed just once, and that was the deciding factor in securing what went on to be an easy victory.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Effort is the age-old deciding factor in sports.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deciding factor
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Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
Exterior color can be a deciding factor in choosing a car.
—Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
This forced the British to make jibes to get down to the bottom of the course while the Americans jibed just once, and that was the deciding factor in securing what went on to be an easy victory.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Effort is the age-old deciding factor in sports.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deciding factor
Cite this Entry
“Deciding factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deciding%20factor. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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