1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal
only a team with a decisive attitude is going to win a state championship
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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
as in determination
firm or unwavering adherence to one's purpose
moved with speed and decisiveness in investigating the charges of the use of excessive force by the police
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decisive
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
Around the horn Georgia outlasted Arkansas in the biggest series of the weekend, winning the decisive Game 3, 7-6, on a walk-off home run by catcher Henry Hunter in the bottom of the 12th inning.
—Mitch Light, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Overall, this brief season feels largely transitional, as if its seven episodes were focused on carefully repurposing and maneuvering the plot toward what could be a decisive season 3.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Using this approach, if one looks narrowly at goods rather than services, China’s productive capacity is three times as large as that of the United States—a decisive advantage in military and technological competition—and exceeds that of the next nine countries combined.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Adjective
However, the ruling socialist regime quickly disqualified her from running, fearing her overwhelming popularity would result in a decisive defeat for Maduro at the polls.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
Around the horn Georgia outlasted Arkansas in the biggest series of the weekend, winning the decisive Game 3, 7-6, on a walk-off home run by catcher Henry Hunter in the bottom of the 12th inning.
—Mitch Light, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Overall, this brief season feels largely transitional, as if its seven episodes were focused on carefully repurposing and maneuvering the plot toward what could be a decisive season 3.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Using this approach, if one looks narrowly at goods rather than services, China’s productive capacity is three times as large as that of the United States—a decisive advantage in military and technological competition—and exceeds that of the next nine countries combined.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decisive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decisive
Adjective
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If such a situation arises, China will never accept it and will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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Garland shared the duo’s resolute ethic while appearing at a Los Angeles panel alongside Mendoza (and D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai, who portrays Mendoza with a convincing stoicism that arose from his inquiries into the concerted memories of the SEAL’s battle mates).—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Estimates of people with other arrhythmias are less conclusive, but in general, people with arrhythmias are at higher risk of having heart attacks or strokes and dying early, Pell said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2025
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While some studies have found potential associations—often at higher-than-recommended levels—experts caution that the evidence is mixed and not conclusive.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.—
Azeem Khan,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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Second, the destruction of the ring symbolizes the definitive end of the pontificate.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The song finds Wetmore shedding light on a childhood with a father battling against alcohol and pills, and Wetmore’s resulting desire and determination to forge a different path.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
22 Apr. 2025
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Sustainable workplace culture change requires both determination and adaptability.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But Trump remains defiant about the tariffs, much like Putin remains determined to continue Russia’s assault on Ukraine.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
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The Bears signed Grady Jarrett in free agency to be a starter on the interior of the line but remain determined to create a deep rotation up front.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Either way, there do not appear to be many other compelling paths for either Cargill or Naomi to take after WrestleMania 41 that don’t involve each other.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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McIntire was arrested in Massachusetts last month and faces federal charges in Missouri for allegedly using a homemade incendiary device to ignite the two electric vehicles on March 17.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
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The company's Groom's Cake ice cream flavor won its Great Scoop Revival Flavor Tournament last year and will be available in stores beginning May 1, the ice cream maker said in a news release.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The Lovers arrive to suggest that a key relationship or decision will take center stage this month.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
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The court’s decision is expected to turn on whether charter schools, which are publicly funded but have private operators, are public schools under the law.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decisive. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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