1
as in authoritative
being the most accurate and apparently thorough
the definitive work on the attack on Pearl Harbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in conclusive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning
a definitive answer that put an immediate end to the discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning
the insurance company's definitive statement on the types of surgical operations that are covered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade is often cited as the definitive hard-boiled private detective
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of definitive
If all of this doesn’t fulfill your Born to Run 50 needs, Peter Ames Carlin — author of the definitive Springsteen biography Bruce — has just released Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run.
—
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
None of the coaches offered a definitive answer, but Brosmer attributes the skill — and it should be noted as such — to experience.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
By moving toward a Supreme Court review, the administration appears to be seeking a definitive ruling on the scope of the citizenship clause.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
There were no final goodbyes, Ulrich said, because nobody felt that this was the definitive end.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for definitive
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
None of the coaches offered a definitive answer, but Brosmer attributes the skill — and it should be noted as such — to experience.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
By moving toward a Supreme Court review, the administration appears to be seeking a definitive ruling on the scope of the citizenship clause.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
There were no final goodbyes, Ulrich said, because nobody felt that this was the definitive end.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for definitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for definitive
Adjective
-
The Supplier Performance Risk System is the Pentagon’s authoritative system for supplier risk data.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Making use of both anchors in such fashion would put an authoritative person in the field and the studio, this person suggested, while giving the newscast the ability to deliver breaking news at the top of the broadcast.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The geranium and the gingko tree yield data but no conclusive results.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
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But there are some good supporting turns, starting with Henry, Tony’s main Interpol contact, who appears from early episodes to be a good guy the leads are mistaking for a bad guy, although nothing is completely conclusive there right away.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Carrie Severino, president of the conservative advocacy group Judicial Crisis Network, previously told the Washington Examiner that the justices have made recent orders more explicit and clear as lower court judges have ignored the Supreme Court’s previous orders on its emergency docket.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
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Ben Hania counters that silence, not with an explicit argument but with an experience, a movie forged in the universal and very specific language of the single-location thriller.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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She’s been toting Max Mara’s reboot of their iconic Whitney bag in on-trend chocolate brown, but also has a penchant for a classic Chanel 19 Flap Bag and Celine Triomphe, the staple Le Cambon from Manu Atelier, and other purses by Khaite and Métier London.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
31 Aug. 2025
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Originally, there were formal gardens on the grounds, and an outdoor, classic Greek-style bathing pool with a pavilion and fluted columns.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Each episode will offer unprecedented access into the step-by-step process of solving a murder case, from the first clue to the decisive moment that changes everything.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Your Team The human element of AI deployment is frequently underestimated yet often proves decisive in achieving sustainable success.—
Dimitar Dimitrov,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The hurricane center has warned residents there to keep an eye on the system and will issue watches and warnings if its path looks more definite.—
Alex Harris
Updated September 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
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That said, there is some definite room for growth.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Plus, its image quality is exemplary for its price, with nearly full sRGB color coverage and a sky-high contrast ratio for a budget monitor.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Aug. 2025
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In this sweeping first-pass evaluation, those firms that displayed work generally meeting the Forbes Architecture criteria were invited to submit an exemplary house completed in 2018 or later for further evaluation.—
Richard Olsen,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The find represents the first clear detection of a baby planet taking shape within a disk of dust and gas with multiple rings.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Instead, Castilla says youths can eat a nutritious diet packed with fruits, vegetables, lean meat and whole grains, since studies have shown a strong connection between a healthy gut and clear skin.—
Khanh T.L. Tran,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Definitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/definitive. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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