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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decisive
There are many fair questions following Zohran Mamdani’s decisive victory.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Maduro has ruled Venezuela with an iron fist since 2013 and has clung to power despite an apparently decisive loss in the 2024 presidential election.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Mamdani, who made history as the city’s first Muslim mayor, claimed a decisive win over independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2025
Packaging remains a decisive factor in investment.
—Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Maduro has ruled Venezuela with an iron fist since 2013 and has clung to power despite an apparently decisive loss in the 2024 presidential election.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Mamdani, who made history as the city’s first Muslim mayor, claimed a decisive win over independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2025
Packaging remains a decisive factor in investment.
—Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decisive
Adjective
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But Sarah remains resolute, Bert tamps down his desire to make a quick buck — for a while, at least — and the situation starts to draw national attention, thanks to the involvement of a white civil rights attorney and a Black reporter from up north.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Despite his anger, the woman remained confused but resolute.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Though home blood pressure monitors are effective, a healthcare provider can provide more accurate and conclusive results.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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Despite numerous conclusive assessments that the Saudi regime planned and perpetrated Khashoggi’s murder, the high-level officials who ordered his execution have gone unpunished, six years on.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Anybody making a definitive call on McCarthy’s trajectory is missing the boat on the sample necessary to make those kinds of judgments.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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The two men went on to co-author a definitive 1,500-page textbook on SAT.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Left in the dark Early in the pandemic, Florida was determined to keep a lid of secrecy on the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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In a landscape of fear and scarcity, where basic ingredients are nearly impossible to find, Lamia sets out on a determined journey throughout the big city in search of eggs, flour and sugar.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Department stores still have to make a compelling case for consumers to come back.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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North Carolina is renowned for its music, creativity, and breathtaking mountain views, but its large-scale artworks offer another compelling reason to visit the state.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Adebayo, who missed only four games last season, sat out for the first time this season with a sprained left big toe.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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The trauma of last weekend will require patient rehabilitation and mental care.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And in moments like these, intent takes a back seat to impact.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
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In a further signal that Pope Leo is intent on cultivating a close rapport with the movie milieu, the Vatican shared a video of the pope stating his four favorite films.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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There was a top 10 team that lost, but BYU was a 10-point underdog at Texas Tech, so the Red Raiders’ convincing win wasn’t technically all that surprising.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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Probably convincing-ish-ly American.—
Lily Osler,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decisive. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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