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
It was attended by Kodak CEO George Fisher and his wife, Anne, and their support for Lambda proved decisive in transforming the corporate culture.
—
Tamar Carroll, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
In a heavyweight battle between two of the nation’s top programs, Georgia needed to find a way to connect on enough haymakers to eventually land the decisive blow against the Longhorns.
—Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 17 June 2026
But with more than 95% of the Sooner State vote counted, a ballot initiative that would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour in 2029 failed by a decisive margin.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 17 June 2026
And that is presented, in much of the American reporting, as a decisive moment.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Tamar Carroll, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
In a heavyweight battle between two of the nation’s top programs, Georgia needed to find a way to connect on enough haymakers to eventually land the decisive blow against the Longhorns.
—Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 17 June 2026
But with more than 95% of the Sooner State vote counted, a ballot initiative that would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour in 2029 failed by a decisive margin.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 17 June 2026
And that is presented, in much of the American reporting, as a decisive moment.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decisive
Adjective
-
Spielberg has been resolute in his beliefs since before Disclosure Day entered production.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
-
As resolute as Tortorella remained afterward, the Hurricanes were confident the decision would turn out in their favor.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
However, a three-judge panel selected for a legal assessment of the findings found that the investigation was not conclusive enough.—
ABC News,
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
Adjective
-
There has been no definitive declaration about which direction this team will take.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
-
Moreover, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh did a good job at his first post-meeting press conference last week, and the potential for a definitive agreement to end the war with Iran bodes well for the global economy.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
Adjective
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If Socrates is the intellectual hero of the ancient world, and Jesus the spiritual hero, Odysseus—hardened, brutal, grief-struck, determined to reclaim his home—is the human hero, the whole man.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
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Pilots will stop at nine pre-determined airports in between the start and finish line with stops in Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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Canada’s tournament has offered a different, but equally compelling example of home-field advantage.—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
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This wasn’t the most compelling matchup at the beginning of the tournament, but chaos has tipped the scales in our favor.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
There are many general rules and tools people can use to help ensure their retirement savings last.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
-
As for 29-year-old Greenway notched six points in 40 games with the Sabres last season and scored three points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Buffalo during the 2025-26 campaign.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Adjective
-
Yet, Rob-Will walked out of rehab, and is intent on thwarting the ceremonial ranch handover to heir-apparent Joaquin.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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Gaetz was the chief agitator among a group of six far-right Republicans intent on keeping McCarthy from the gavel.—
Zak Hudak,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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That means the messages can look cleaner, the websites can appear more convincing and the operation can move faster.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
-
Strong as a curly-haired blond is less convincing at first sight—but the fact that viewers are able to meticulously judge this portrayal speaks less to the film and more to the way in which Zuckerberg has penetrated the collective consciousness.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decisive. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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