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 As a weak federation of as many as twenty-eight states, the EU epitomized a hamstrung polity with multiple opportunities for member governments or Brussels bureaucrats to block decisive action. — Robert Kuttner, The New York Review of Books, "Dividends of a Just Economy," 13 Apr. 2021 The pledge earned national headlines and praise from progressive activists, who had pressed council members to take decisive action as the city reeled and raged. — Martin Kuz, The Christian Science Monitor, "Chauvin trial: Why Minneapolis activists are looking beyond the verdict," 30 Mar. 2021 Opting not to take decisive action could also invite categorical bans by regulators. — Brennan Spellacy, Fortune, "How crypto can fix one of its biggest problems," 28 Mar. 2021 Patriots entering their own Capitol to send a message to the traitors is NOTHING compared to what’s coming if Trump doesn’t take decisive action right now. — Washington Post, "Calls, texts by Oath Keepers founder Rhodes contain ‘substantial evidence’ of Jan. 6 Capitol conspiracy, prosecutors allege," 25 Mar. 2021 Galvanized by a grassroots campaign led largely by the Dunblane students’ parents, U.K. leaders took decisive legislative action. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, "How the 1996 Dunblane Massacre Pushed the U.K. to Enact Stricter Gun Laws," 12 Mar. 2021 Following his confrontation with Sean, Jordan decides to take decisive action against bullies and tries out for the football team as an excuse to use his enhanced strength to tackle his aggressors. — Chancellor Agard, EW.com, "Superman & Lois recap: Jordan finds his place at school," 10 Mar. 2021 Though the federal government has taken steps to curb evictions, decisive action at the local level is critical to preventing further deaths. — Salmaan Kamal And Stefan Kertesz, al, "How to stop a wave of pandemic evictions in Birmingham," 4 Mar. 2021 Californians were also relieved to have a governor who seemed to be taking decisive action as Trump’s White House dawdled, denied medical realities and undermined its own public health experts. — Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times, "News Analysis: Cuomo and Newsom, once pillars of the Democratic Party, now look for paths to survival," 4 Mar. 2021

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.

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