decisive

adjective

de·ci·sive | \di-ˈsī-siv

Definition of decisive

1 : having the power or quality of deciding The council president cast the decisive vote. a decisive battle

2 : resolute, determined a decisive manner decisive leaders a decisive editor

3 : unmistakable, unquestionable a decisive superiority

Other Words from decisive Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about decisive

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Choose the Right Synonym for decisive

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

Examples of decisive in a Sentence

You must be decisive and persistent to succeed in this competitive field. I stood there wondering what to do, but my sister was more decisive and immediately went to the phone. The fight ended with a decisive blow. the decisive battle of the war The poverty of his childhood played a decisive role in his adult life. The meeting is seen as a decisive step toward a peace treaty.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a World Cup replete with set-piece goals, a corner again proved decisive when Umtiti timed his run perfectly to meet Antoine Griezmann's delivery six minutes into the second half. — Kieran Canning, chicagotribune.com, "Umtiti heads France into World Cup final as Belgium fall short," 10 July 2018 Liberals hope that concern about the ACA proves decisive with these senators as well. — Michael Scherer, Anchorage Daily News, "Democrats target Murkowski, Collins in campaign against Supreme Court nominee," 5 July 2018 After the Orioles rallied for two runs off Mariners starter Felix Hernandez to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth, Castro was unable to record a shutdown inning in the top of the seventh, giving back the two runs that proved decisive. — Eduardo A. Encina, baltimoresun.com, "Reliever Miguel Castro's walks hurt Orioles in 5-3 loss to Mariners," 25 June 2018 His run proved decisive as Southridge charged back. — Richard Torres, Indianapolis Star, "Boone Grove wins IHSAA Class 2A baseball state title against Southridge," 16 June 2018 Kennedy provided a decisive vote in 2015 on an important fair housing case. — Zeke Miller, The Seattle Times, "Trump picks Kavanaugh for court, setting up fight with Dems," 10 July 2018 Kennedy provided a decisive vote in 2015 on an important fair housing case. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump nominates GOP favorite Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court," 10 July 2018 Chief Justice Roberts was the decisive fifth vote to uphold the ACA in a key case in 2012. — Julie Rovner, Washington Post, "Democrats Rally Against Threats To The ACA To Block Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee," 10 July 2018 Kennedy provided a decisive vote in 2015 on an important fair housing case. — Catherine Lucey, Zeke Miller And Mark Sherman, Houston Chronicle, "Trump picks Kavanaugh for court, setting up fight with Dems," 10 July 2018

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