1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal
only a team with a decisive attitude is going to win a state championship
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conclusive
having the power to persuade
a lawyer who knows how to construct the kind of decisive argument that sways a jury
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in definitive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning
the decisive finding of the coroner regarding the cause of death
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decisive
Data access is equally decisive.
—
Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
And on the game’s decisive play in the final minute of the fourth, Lawrence fell down twice in the backfield, but somehow was able to regain his footing and scramble for a touchdown despite several Kansas City defenders in the area.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2025
The Lynx lost that game, and then, with Collier in a boot on the bench and her coach suspended for excoriating the referees in her defense, came up short in the decisive Game Four, too.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Yet, despite these early warning signs, the Spanish wine sector as a whole was slow to react, only recently embracing decisive adaptation and mitigation measures.
—Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
And on the game’s decisive play in the final minute of the fourth, Lawrence fell down twice in the backfield, but somehow was able to regain his footing and scramble for a touchdown despite several Kansas City defenders in the area.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2025
The Lynx lost that game, and then, with Collier in a boot on the bench and her coach suspended for excoriating the referees in her defense, came up short in the decisive Game Four, too.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Yet, despite these early warning signs, the Spanish wine sector as a whole was slow to react, only recently embracing decisive adaptation and mitigation measures.
—Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decisive
Adjective
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Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have been drafted in at centre-half, through no fault of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn, and have been resolute.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Takaichi has promised to be a resolute leader, but will need to learn the art of compromise while juggling priorities and trade-offs on domestic policies.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In this framework, the new recommendations are actively harmful, and not grounded in conclusive research.—
Dr. Sunny Patel,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
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The publication also noted that despite there being no conclusive evidence that Assata was directly to blame for the death of Foerster, New Jersey law stated that everyone involved was equally responsible for the murder.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Hanke hastens to add that the administration hasn’t made any definitive decision on whether to back the strategy.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
-
No definitive timeline exists for ending the current shutdown.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Carman is determined to keep expanding her work and wants every first responder to have access to a therapy dog.—
Kathleen Toner,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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The vehicle will primarily drive pre-determined routes, act as a visual crime deterrent and display key messages to the community from its windows.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Reducing their reliance on the grid, then, would involve compelling utilities to leave PJM, or securing electricity from alternative sources.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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The African American History building was closed for unclear reasons (that seemed to me ominous), but the John Brown Museum right across the street had compelling displays about Brown’s attack and its aftermath.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With a swath of apps taking betting from the casino to one’s pocket, the industry has captured the interest of Gen Z, who saw a 7% year-over-year increase in online sports betting activity as of 2025’s second quarter, TransUnion found in a report released last month.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
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The dedicated contract services segment is expected to show revenue of $860 million, an increase of the $846 million posted in the same quarter last year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Another plan for the Excelsior Club While the council seems intent on moving forward with Kennedy’s revitalization plans, The Charlotte Museum of History’s CEO would like to save the building.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Oct. 2025
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In the meantime, Simmons — in his first season at FIU — is intent on upgrading his roster for 2026.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Bulls, now younger and without convincing direction, are continuing to seek identity.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The 8 x 60’ series will be shot in Ireland and Hamilton, Ontario, which Donovan described as a convincing stand-in for 1920s Chicago.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decisive. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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