decisive

adjective

de·​ci·​sive di-ˈsī-siv 

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

decisively adverb

decisiveness noun

Synonyms

• bent (on or upon)
• bound
• determined
• do-or-die
• firm
• hell-bent (on or upon)
• intent
• out
• purposeful
• resolute
• resolved
• set
• single-minded

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

Iran came to Russia’s aid in its war with Ukraine, playing a decisive role through supplying the model for its cheap and effective Shahed drones, which Russia has used to significant effect. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025

There’s an actual path to decisive success, and that can change the political calculus in Washington. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025

Yamamoto allowed eight runs in six innings across two regular-season starts last year against the Padres and then had a bad start in Game 1 of the NLDS (3 IP, 5 ER) before throwing five shutout innings in the decisive Game 5. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025

The Florida Panthers retained the Cup with decisive domination in a 5-1 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers for a 4-2 series win and a second consecutive NHL championship to cap a third straight year in hockey’s Final. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French decisif, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēcīsīvus, from Latin dēcīsus, past participle of dēcīdere "to cut off, cut out, mark by cutting, settle, choose as a course of action" + -īvus -ive — more at decide

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing decisive

• decisive action
• decisive/deciding/determining factor

Rhymes for decisive

• divisive
• incisive
• indecisive

Kids Definition

decisive

adjective

de·​ci·​sive di-ˈsī-siv 

1

: having the power to decide

the decisive vote

2

: unmistakable, unquestionable

a decisive victory

3

: marked by or showing decision

a decisive manner

decisively adverb

decisiveness noun