1
: able to make choices quickly and confidently
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.
a decisive leader
In emergency situations, one must be able to take decisive action. [=to act quickly and with confidence]
2
: causing something to end in a particular way : determining what the result of something will be
She cast the decisive [=deciding] vote.
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.
Note: A decisive factor is a reason to make a particular choice or decision.
3
: very clear and obvious
a decisive victory/win/advantage
Cite this Entry
“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/decisive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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