DECISIVELY Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

decisively

adverb

Definition of decisively

as in clearly

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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 decisively For 10 years now — actually, since around the time streaming decisively overtook people’s listening habits — these Beatles releases have made a pretty compelling case for the collectible physical object. — Darryn King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Fierce fights whittled down 64 bands to one, but in the final round, the winning band won decisively in a 60-40 vote split. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Swiss voters on Sunday decisively rejected stricter neutrality rules that would have prevented the country from sanctioning Russia and curbed its cooperation with NATO, delivering a boost to the alliance’s efforts to counter Moscow. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 27 Sep. 2026 With a wider conflict among the federal circuits, the Court might be inclined to weigh in and decisively rule on whether sports event contracts meet the definition of a swap or are more like sports bets. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2026 The Chiefs offense changed decisively with Walker in the backfield. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 For homeowners who know what major repairs actually run, the math can work decisively in your favor. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026 The better approach is to set a clear strategic direction early, make the big calls decisively and ship. — Priya Gill, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 For much of the past year, the forecaster has called the Senate decisively for Republicans. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decisively

Adverb

Problems emerge when those distinctive flavors don’t incorporate into the overall mix or too clearly smack of other artists’ sauce.

— Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
The key is helping prospective employers clearly see how those strengths translate to their current needs.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of clearly

Adverb

Only 27% of Americans view both the State and Justice departments positively, and while Republicansâ€™ approval of those departments has held relatively steady, itâ€™s also below 50%.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
These books offer a closer relationship with the game, but it should be noted that odds, props, and information are not impacted positively or negatively based on their relationship.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of positively

Adverb

However, identifying physical remnants definitively associated with the Tunguska object has remained challenging.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Despite telling police definitively that she had been raped, the report Ithaca police sent to the district attorney omitted this language.

— Kaitlyn M. Sims, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of definitively

Adverb

Studies have not conclusively shown, however, whether continuing a business within the family is clearly better or worse for its bottom line than having outsiders manage it.

— Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
The Indiana effort soon flamed out conclusively; a bloc of Republicans in the state Senate voted it down, holding firm even amid bomb threats and swatting attacks.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of conclusively

Adverb

The song makes clear that while Jake Shane might not be this generation’s Truman Capote, Troye Sivan certainly isn’t either.

— Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
There’s certainly many of these systems that have been found in nature, but a good number of them have gone on to be developed into useful tools.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of certainly

Adverb

Tyson, a student of boxing history, surely would have appreciated a deeper discussion of the role of the Black heavyweight champion in culture.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Unbearably painful and enraging for the one, surely pretty darn awkward for the other.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of surely

Adverb

That celebration undoubtedly would last quite a bit longer than his trips around the bases.

— Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026
Overall, Fight To Unite was undoubtedly a success, both as a benefit show for Siempre Unidos (an organization providing support to families affected by ICE) and as the best option for a punk rock festival in Los Angeles this year.

— Josh Chesler, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of undoubtedly

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“Decisively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decisively. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of decisively

adverb

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