decisive

1 of 2

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

decisiveness

2 of 2

noun

de·​ci·​sive·​ness di-ˈsī-siv-nəs 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being decisive : resoluteness

Synonyms of decisive

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

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

Adjective

The Brewers had the first seven batters in the decisive inning reach base before an out was recorded. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

But among the favorites where the margins are already small, those details can become decisive – especially coming off two previous summers of tournament soccer with the 2025 Club World Cup, and European Championship and Copa América in 2024. —Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

In a decisive upset, Democrat John Forbes won his party’s nomination in the June 2 primary election for Polk County supervisor in District 1, unseating incumbent Matt McCoy. —Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 3 June 2026

Because more than 70 percent of voters supported other candidates in the first round, both Fujimori and Sánchez have sought to broaden their appeal ahead of the decisive vote. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Adjective

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