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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decisive
Officials noted that his ball moved during his second shot on the 12th hole, and the consequences could be decisive for his fate in the event.
—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
The second set ultimately went all the way to a tiebreak, and after trading two mini-breaks apiece, the British pair gained a decisive two-point advantage, aided by a Pel double-fault.
—Leon Imber, New York Times, 12 July 2025
The idea that no one was born inherently superior, that status wasn’t tied to birth but to citizenship and shared rights, was a radical break in human history and a decisive rejection of Old World European ideology.
—Jared Nordlund, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Either be the firm, decisive leader who commands authority or the warm, approachable one who’s easy to talk to.
—Somdutta Singh, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
The second set ultimately went all the way to a tiebreak, and after trading two mini-breaks apiece, the British pair gained a decisive two-point advantage, aided by a Pel double-fault.
—Leon Imber, New York Times, 12 July 2025
The idea that no one was born inherently superior, that status wasn’t tied to birth but to citizenship and shared rights, was a radical break in human history and a decisive rejection of Old World European ideology.
—Jared Nordlund, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Either be the firm, decisive leader who commands authority or the warm, approachable one who’s easy to talk to.
—Somdutta Singh, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decisive
Adjective
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His face was resolute across the table in a room full of reporters.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
29 July 2025
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The Club World Cup trophy is also spending time in the Oval Office; it could be seen there Tuesday not far from the resolute desk.—
Ian Swanson,
The Hill,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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To date, there is no conclusive evidence that tattoos cause skin cancer; however, researchers are investigating whether there could be a link.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 July 2025
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According to a comprehensive account by David Makovsky in The New Yorker, the agents extracted conclusive evidence from Othman’s computer: Syria was secretly building a plutonium reactor, Al Kibar, with help from North Korea.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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According to the biography, Paltrow advised her team during moments of controversy that the brand’s goal was to spark thought-provoking conversations, not to offer definitive answers.—
Michaela Zee,
Variety,
29 July 2025
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Introducing the 2025 Fortune 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in America.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Despite low turnout thus far, Morales is determined to make this work.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Aug. 2025
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Why The Jazz Bar Is Special When his music bar burned down in 2002, Edinburgh drummer Bill Kyle was determined to start again.—
Felipe Schrieberg,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Peterson, whose South African accent flows off the tongue of a compelling Hugh Laurie, has one North Star: a love for Iran and its people.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
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The Sirens is a compelling mix of contemporary, historical, and speculative fiction told through multiple points of view, mysterious dreams, and magical revelations.—
Kalie Cassidy
July 25,
Literary Hub,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Citywide as of July 14, homicides are down 21% compared with this time last year and 35% compared with 2023, according to city data.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
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The high school's five home games were played away last fall while the new bleachers remained under construction.—
Katie Nixon,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Diaz has loved his four seasons at Liverpool and was not creating issues for the club or Slot, but was also intent on leaving, given the lack of progress that had been made towards a new contract.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
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While her work has drawn fierce criticism from the same forces intent on dragging America back to a time when artists were expected to sing, dance, and stay silent about politics, Knowles-Carter has transcended the noise.—
Richard Fowler,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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How Companies Are Using AI One of the most convincing arguments for AI is its capacity to improve efficiency.—
Carmen Skipworth,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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His impersonation is so convincing that Lu and Shin are initially fooled.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decisive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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