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Synonym Chooser

How is the word decisive different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of decisive are conclusive, definitive, and determinative. While all these words mean "bringing to an end," decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.

a decisive battle

When is conclusive a more appropriate choice than decisive?

In some situations, the words conclusive and decisive are roughly equivalent. However, conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.

conclusive evidence

When can definitive be used instead of decisive?

The words definitive and decisive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.

the definitive biography

When is it sensible to use determinative instead of decisive?

The meanings of determinative and decisive largely overlap; however, determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction.

the determinative factor in the court's decision

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decisive 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 May 2025 An official forensic medical report said the boy might have been raped but was not decisive, according to a copy published in local media. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 The Carter Center noted that opposition candidate Edmundo González likely secured a decisive victory based on independent vote counts, which were disregarded by Venezuela’s electoral authorities. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025 His opinion was so decisive and pivotal that the Orthodox Union cites it on its landing page for queries about milk. Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decisive
Adjective
  • Neuharth was resolute about a reader-friendly approach.
    Caren Bohan, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Despite his resolute disdain for the regime, at 14 years old he was required by law to join the Hitler Youth, a paramilitary organization.
    Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As an option, have a separate, conclusive AI to summarize everything and produce the final answers.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
  • This observation provided the first conclusive evidence for the existence of the cosmic behemoth at the core of a galaxy.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Another loose thread the writers had toyed with for years before weaving it into the final season was a romantic storyline for paterfamilias Eli (John Goodman) in a definitive act of moving on.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 5 May 2025
  • Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
    Azeem Khan, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • And if culture is the battlefield, Abdul Muhammad II is determined to win—not with force, but with wisdom.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • The single source profile was determined to be male and the probable identity of the DNA came from investigative genetic genealogy, which is the process of taking unknown DNA to public databases and finding relatives that share the profile.
    Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • What started as a part-time gig and a family tradition is quickly becoming a compelling franchise opportunity in the landscaping industry.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • And at the end of the day, there’s nothing more compelling than that.
    Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • The company's Groom's Cake ice cream flavor won its Great Scoop Revival Flavor Tournament last year and will be available in stores beginning May 1, the ice cream maker said in a news release.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • McIntire was arrested in Massachusetts last month and faces federal charges in Missouri for allegedly using a homemade incendiary device to ignite the two electric vehicles on March 17.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • This year’s Amazins seem intent on having a more relaxing stroll into October.
    Sam Settleman, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • In the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, the Herons exited in the quarterfinals to a CF Monterrey squad that has decisively been the best in Concacaf competition over the last decade-and-a-half, and seem intent on showing it would not be supplanted easily.
    Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • The trends within the trend make an even more convincing case for a comeback, with lactose-free and whole milk consumption up by a respective 12.3% and 3.6%, and a whopping 17.6% surge in the sale of raw milk.
    HubSpot, HubSpot, 2 May 2025
  • Both Lennox and Sarah Lind, as Alex’s wife, Sam, are serious and convincing, and the musician David Yow, as an oddball private detective following in Alex’s wake, gives the movie some idiosyncratic flair.
    Calum Marsh, New York Times, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decisive. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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