Definition of conclusivenext

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 However, a three-judge panel selected for a legal assessment of the findings found that the investigation was not conclusive enough. ABC News, 19 June 2026 Bartošák-Harlow said there's no conclusive evidence of who has and who has not paid a toll in the past, and there wasn't any sort of record, adding that companies should not be paying a toll for passage through an international waterway. Tom Bowman, NPR, 17 June 2026 The information, which Daniel was hired to protect but now wants to disclose, is footage providing conclusive evidence of the arrival of aliens on Earth, in 1947, and of a seventy-nine-year coverup, with government complicity, by a company called WARDEX, headed by Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth). Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 There’s no conclusive evidence of alien life or government cover-ups. Collin Binkley, Fortune, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for conclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclusive
Adjective
  • There are no definitive statistics about how many students are affected by state bans.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • In 1868, at the age of 29, John Muir arrived in San Francisco via steamship with definitive plans to wander and revel in the natural wonders of California—he’d heard of the Golden State’s geographic riches and wanted to see them for himself.
    Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • During its convincing 3-0 win over Haiti, which followed a 1-1 draw with Morocco, Brazil lost one of its top forwards when Raphinha sustained a hamstring injury.
    Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
  • The Remi cover at the very end took a bit more convincing.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • The holiday marked the 205th anniversary of the 1821 Battle of Carabobo, which brought Venezuela a decisive victory over Spanish royalist forces.
    Will Clark, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • The Russian president also anticipated a quick, decisive victory.
    Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Ellroy’s latest is another compelling entry in his ongoing project.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
  • The Best Opportunities Look Worst Near Maximum Value Opportunity often feels least attractive when the valuation is most compelling.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • The 7-2 Kessler missed most of last season because of a shoulder injury.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Deivis Ramos hasn’t cried since his daughters were killed in last Wednesday’s earthquakes.
    Isa Soares, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Projections varied in the weeks leading up to the draft with no real consensus among draft analysts, but in the last 24 hours there were strong indications the Clippers would choose Wagler and the Nets would take Brown.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • Your desire for solitude and introspection is strong during today’s Scorpio moon.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • McLeese said each guest in the restricted area is allowed only one clear bag no larger than a gallon, or a small clutch purse.
    Maria Sullivan, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • There appears to be no clear association between these two lists, although the contaminant list is supposed to inform the monitoring list.
    Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Nothing is ever going to top it except, of course, the thin green coat of algae that Greenwater Solutions—seems nominally determinative, in a bad way—is trying to spritz with nanobubbles.
    Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026
  • For them, flexibility is often valued but not determinative; a return-to-office mandate may be an inconvenience rather than a constraint.
    Subha Barry, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclusive. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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