Synonyms of decisive

decisive

adjective

di-ˈsī-siv 

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

• resolute
• determined
• intent
• positive
• confident
• purposeful
• do-or-die
• resolved
• firm
• out
• single-minded
• bound
• serious
• adamant
• bent (on or upon)
• set
• hell-bent (on or upon)
• vehement
• willful
• persistent
• certain
• sure
• earnest
• unhesitating
• steady
• on one's mettle
• stubborn
• hardened
• bitter
• uncompromising
• tenacious
• cocksure
• unswerving
• unwavering
• implacable
• unfaltering
• wilful
• unrelenting
• unbending
• hardheaded
• obdurate
• unyielding
• headstrong
• rigid
• immovable
• pertinacious
• hard
• adamantine
• pigheaded
• dogged
• mulish
• inflexible
• perverse
• self-willed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indecisive
• hesitant
• unresolved
• undetermined
• uncertain
• irresolute
• faltering
• doubtful
• suspicious
• skeptical
• unsure
• dubious
• undecided
• unsettled
• unconvinced
• reluctant
• wavering
• distrustful
• vacillating
• mistrustful
• weak-kneed
• loath
• loth
• indisposed
• disinclined
• loathe

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

• conclusive
• compelling
• convincing
• strong
• effective
• persuasive
• valid
• forceful
• satisfying
• definitive
• cogent
• authoritative
• important
• telling
• significant
• relevant
• sound
• pertinent
• well-founded
• weighty
• material

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ineffective
• inconclusive
• indecisive
• unconvincing
• shaky
• insignificant
• unimportant
• invalid
• unfounded
• unsound
• unpersuasive
• irrelevant
• groundless
• inconsequential
• immaterial
• weak
• uncompelling
• feeble

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

• conclusive
• definitive
• last
• clear
• determinative
• deciding
• determinate
• definite
• absolute
• compelling
• indisputable
• positive
• convincing
• dispositive
• unquestionable
• incontestable
• irrefutable
• undeniable
• incontrovertible
• unanswerable
• indubitable
• undisputable
• unequivocal
• undisputed
• unambiguous
• uncontested
• persuasive
• unchallenged
• undebatable
• inarguable
• cogent
• sure
• telling
• certain
• hands-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unclear
• inconclusive
• indecisive
• doubtful
• problematic
• questionable
• problematical
• debatable
• ambiguous
• disputable
• moot
• controversial
• equivocal
• disputed
• refutable
• doubtable
• debated

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

Recent Examples of decisive

Patton wrote the Army's tank-fighting rules and ultimately became a decisive battlefield commander during World War II. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Pedro Martinez anchored the first championship rotation of the century for Boston in 2004 while David Price earned the decisive victory to close out the last World Series title for the Red Sox in 2018. —Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is not known for giving decisive hints. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025

The Broncos did retake the lead with just minutes remaining in the final quarter with another Lutz field goal, pushing Denver ahead by two points – a lead which proved decisive. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025