Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of conclusive are decisive, definitive, and determinative. While all these words mean "bringing to an end," conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.

conclusive evidence

When would decisive be a good substitute for conclusive?

The words decisive and conclusive can be used in similar contexts, but decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.

a decisive battle

When could definitive be used to replace conclusive?

The meanings of definitive and conclusive largely overlap; however, definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.

the definitive biography

When might determinative be a better fit than conclusive?

While in some cases nearly identical to conclusive, 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 conclusive There’s no conclusive research showing that GLP-1 drugs cause more acne in women. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025 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 But there was no conclusive evidence that the remains of what appeared to be robust young men were anyone other than soldiers or slaves — until now. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclusive
Adjective
  • Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • Misch’s lawyer has previously argued that there’s no definitive proof Michaela actually died.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Drucker is able to conjure a frosty authority that is entirely convincing, while simultaneously hinting at vulnerabilities that nobody within the narrative is allowed to see.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 May 2025
  • After a convincing defeat to a team looking to get back to the Cup Final, the question is, how close is Vegas’ championship window to closing?
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Charlotte’s victory in the series-deciding finale improved its record to 3-4 all time in its modern history (since 1994) and was the second in three season; Charlotte won the decisive third game of a best-of-three series in 2023 over Lehigh Valley.
    Richard Walker, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The underlying rationale for sending people has to be compelling enough to justify the risk to lives and the cost of the missions.
    Bruce Jakosky, Space.com, 14 May 2025
  • Densmore was a jazz drummer, Manzarek was steeped in Chicago blues, Morrison was a poet with a compelling set of pipes, and Krieger was a flamenco guitarist.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • David Beckham appeared bent out of shape last weekend.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
  • The whole season was shot last September in Knoxville, Tenn., but news of the reboot and Malarkey’s hiring as host, were kept under wraps until a few weeks ago.
    Pamela Kragen, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Think of a close-to-home tropical paradise, and perhaps Costa Rica comes to mind, or even a Caribbean island destination like Jamaica with its tangle of clear rivers and dense jungles.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
  • Taken together, the studies provide the clearest evidence yet that birds and mammals independently evolved brain regions for complex cognition.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Wired News, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Although the regulation explicitly states that no one factor is determinative, the case law tells a somewhat different story.
    Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • That naturally leads to early clues, even if those clues aren’t determinative.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclusive. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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