as in determinative
providing or controlling a final outcome
The fact that she committed a crime is not dispositive of her claim that the police used excessive force in arresting her.
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Recent Examples of dispositive
In transactions with foreign capital participation, these questions can become dispositive.
—
Alexandrine Armstrong-Cerfontaine, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
However, and most importantly, no one should be deported or kept in custody without a neutral hearing for a dispositive decision to be reached, with legal counsel being made available to represent them.
—James P. Gray, Oc Register, 1 Nov. 2025
Fitzgerald proposed a schedule that includes filing dispositive motions by October 20 and briefs by November 20.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
The results will be the same in terms of the estate tax and dispositive scheme implications as in the above example, but now, whatever is inherited will face a capital gains tax on sale.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Alexandrine Armstrong-Cerfontaine, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
However, and most importantly, no one should be deported or kept in custody without a neutral hearing for a dispositive decision to be reached, with legal counsel being made available to represent them.
—James P. Gray, Oc Register, 1 Nov. 2025
Fitzgerald proposed a schedule that includes filing dispositive motions by October 20 and briefs by November 20.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
The results will be the same in terms of the estate tax and dispositive scheme implications as in the above example, but now, whatever is inherited will face a capital gains tax on sale.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispositive
Adjective
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Trump’s endorsement was helpful but not determinative.—
Joe Garofoli,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Apr. 2026
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They’ve rarely been determinative in elections — El Paso County casts around 4% of the Democratic vote — but could matter in a close Senate race and in the Gonzales primary.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Plants tend to grow taller than determinate types and are commonly pruned to maintain a single central stem.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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Tomato cages are best used for low-maintenance, determinate, and bushy tomatoes, and are overall easier to set up than stakes.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Investigating active government officials in Mexico is a new strategy for the United States, which in the past refrained from targeting sitting leaders in allied countries with criminal investigations because of the clear political ramifications.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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What Schwartz made clear is that once Cleveland chose Monken, his own decision was already made.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Lemongrass May Have Blood Pressure-Lowering Effects Though far from conclusive, there is scant evidence that lemongrass may exert beneficial effects on your blood pressure.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2026
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Data from Zillow was less conclusive, finding that only five out of the 10 cities saw a median rent increase by more than Los Angeles' 29%.—
Lindsay Kornick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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