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

Renfroe hit it — 398 feet to left field for his 26th home run of the season and the decisive run in the Padres’ 3-2 victory over the Dodgers. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Hunter Renfroe powers Padres with newly cultured patience," 6 July 2019 The decisive run was delivered not by one of the team’s recognizable stars, but instead from perhaps its most unlikely contributor. — Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, "Persistent Red Sox beat back, walk off Chicago," 24 June 2019 Gray made his first big-league relief appearance Sunday, intentionally walking two before walking in the decisive run in the ninth inning of Colorado’s 14-13 loss to San Diego at Coors Field. — Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, "Rockies sticking with Wade Davis as closer, but bullpen needs to get right," 18 June 2019 The Belgium international was the surprise star of Liverpool's Champions League winning campaign last season - as well as a Merseyside Derby - after scoring decisive goals against Barcelona and Tottenham. — SI.com, "Liverpool 'Confident' Over New Divock Origi Contract Offer After Talks With Jurgen Klopp," 29 June 2019 But without decisive action to address climate change, global temperatures could increase by more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 degrees Celsius) by 2050. — Denise Chow, NBC News, "A strange, wavy jet stream is blasting Europe with heat. Scientists say this could be the 'new normal.'," 29 June 2019 The Warriors have not changed their stance, either, even after Thompson tore the ACL in his left knee in the Warriors’ decisive Game 6 loss to Toronto. — Mark Medina, The Mercury News, "How will the Warriors handle Durant, Klay and their other free agents?," 27 June 2019 The new rules, however, would not have allowed reviewing a missed penalty that led to the decisive goal in St. Louis’ 2-1 win over Boston in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. — John Wawrow, The Denver Post, "NHL expands video review after calls missed in playoffs," 20 June 2019 Perhaps, karmic balance is to blame for the egregious non-call that facilitated the decisive second goal by St. Louis in Game 5 of the series, a tipping point. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "To many, the Bruins’ loss is a rebalancing of the sports universe," 15 June 2019

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.