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

• resolute
• determined
• intent
• positive
• confident

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

February 2025 Queen of Swords: February’s energy is pushing you to set clear boundaries and make decisive moves, especially in your financial or professional life this month. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025

Netflix, naturally, has only accelerated its investment in Korean entertainment, carving out a decisive leadership position in the country’s premium online video sector ahead of Korea’s top local players. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025

The decisive sequence started off with Martínez bearing down on Freese, his teammate at New York City FC, throwing him off with a wink before placing a cool kick as Freese dove the wrong way. —Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 30 June 2025

Honduras tops Panama, advances Carlos Pineda scored the decisive goal as Honduras beat Panama 5-4 on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night. —David Brandt, Los Angeles Times, 29 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