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 Ohio police reopened the case but got no conclusive results. Stephanie Warsmith, USA Today, 8 June 2025 Earlier this week, Harvard moved for a conclusive decision from a federal judge to unfreeze close to $2.5 billion in federal funds that Trump’s administration pulled from the school. Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 June 2025 Results from this simple blood test can narrow down possibilities, and direct people towards a PET scan for conclusive diagnosis more quickly. Louise Jacobsen Fisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025 While another research review published this year in Nutrients says the research for athletic benefits in women isn’t yet conclusive, there are also reasons to suspect women may benefit from creatine at least as much as men, if not more, both inside and outside the gym, Dr. Smith-Ryan says. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for conclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclusive
Adjective
  • Introducing the 2025 Fortune 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in America.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 June 2025
  • Such discrepancies in Bach’s manuscripts show that no definitive version of the Mass exists and that modern performers are free to follow their intuition.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hallucinations, when models generate convincing but false information, can mislead decision-making and create legal exposure.
    Shane Buckley, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Why the latest PayPal phishing scam is so convincing Most phishing scams try (and fail) to impersonate big companies.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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 July 2025
  • Netflix, naturally, has only accelerated its investment in Korean entertainment, carving out a decisive leadership position in the country’s premium online video sector ahead of Korea’s top local players.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • In a category full of compelling options, this is arguably the most compelling choice.
    Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • While summer nail color trends tend to be bright and sunny, with shades like swimming pool blue, cherry red, and butter yellow playing a starring role in a manicurist's palette, Robbie does make a compelling case for swapping your fresh white or jelly pink for an unexpected, gothy color.
    Allure, Allure, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The embrace of a boots-on-the-ground mentality, literally, is also notable because this is our last Glasto moment for a sec.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 30 June 2025
  • Plus one last trip to a paleontology museum to reflect on and compare what’s been learned along the way, feeling in that excitement like children again.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • This simple, clear shift in communication started to highlight the reality of who was contributing what.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • To help guide you through the rest of summer and beyond, dermatologists help break down what body acne is, how to treat it, and the best kinds of products to have in rotation for smoother, clearer skin all over.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • To make market size less determinative and chaos more predictable.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • The 10 percent is not determinative for whether an employer has been partially suspended.
    Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclusive. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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