1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal
only a team with a decisive attitude is going to win a state championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decisive
For Jake Walshe, president and CEO of Screen Scene Post Production Group and chair of VFX Ireland, the new credit marks a decisive shift in Ireland’s competitive position.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
In a game worthy of being the state final, senior guard Jimmy Farrell’s pull up from the right baseline with just under a minute to go proved to be decisive as Masconomet outlasted Pope Francis, 50-48.
—Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The plan’s defeat was decisive.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
Russian planners and Western intelligence predicted the invasion of Ukraine would be quick and decisive.
—NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
In a game worthy of being the state final, senior guard Jimmy Farrell’s pull up from the right baseline with just under a minute to go proved to be decisive as Masconomet outlasted Pope Francis, 50-48.
—Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The plan’s defeat was decisive.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
Russian planners and Western intelligence predicted the invasion of Ukraine would be quick and decisive.
—NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decisive
Adjective
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Baking director Peter Edris is a 27-year baker who leads the kitchen in a calm but resolute manner.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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The resolute tango between the personal and the practical is a hallmark of a cookbook humdinger.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Such evidence is key in assessing responsibility for a strike, and without it, assessments cannot be conclusive.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
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As of Saturday night, after Maxey took that nasty spill in the waning moments of the Philadelphia 76ers’ 125-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, there wasn’t anything conclusive on his status.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Herbert-Tagovailoa discourse had reached an all-time high yet for at least one day, Phins fans had definitive proof that their front office has made the right decision.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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Officials didn’t give definitive reasons for what led to the decrease in drug overdoses during a press conference on March 10.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But the leading candidates to succeed her seem determined to support the tax regardless of the consequences.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
15 Mar. 2026
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The people in charge of Florida government — which is top-to-bottom controlled by extreme elements of the GOP — are determined to turn this state into California, where voters are duped into supporting an endless stream of short-sighted tax cuts.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Burke has been in multiple audiences of its national tour for a compelling reason.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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For anyone using a Pixel 8a or an older device, however, the upgrade is far more compelling thanks to better battery life, improved cameras, expanded AI capabilities, and new software features.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Liu, 20, in capturing the gold medal at the Milano Cortina Games last month became the first American woman to win the Olympic gold medal in nearly a quarter-century.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
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The rates were similar in the private sector, where 41% reported using AI late last year, including a quarter who reported using it frequently.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Photograph by Victor Llorente for The New Yorker The experimental singer-producer FKA twigs, for most of her career, has made cerebral electronic music intent on synchronizing the mind and body.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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For a show that’s centered around a group of women intent on challenging outdated, misogynistic norms set by the Mormon church, how did The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives get so male-centered?—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Can a piece about internal weather make a convincing leap to the big screen?—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
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With six wins in their last seven games, the Lakers leap-frogged the Minnesota Timberwolves in the standings Tuesday after a convincing 120-106 win over the two-time Western Conference finalists.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decisive. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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