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
Fitzgerald proposed a schedule that includes filing dispositive motions by October 20 and briefs by November 20.
—
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of litigation assignments from case initiation and answer, plus discovery, dispositive motion practice, trial and appeals.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
july 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Read More: Why Food Chemicals Are a Problem—And How to Reduce Your Exposure
That’s not to say genes are entirely dispositive; having genes associated with the condition does not mean a child will inevitably develop it.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Apr. 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
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of litigation assignments from case initiation and answer, plus discovery, dispositive motion practice, trial and appeals.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
july 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Read More: Why Food Chemicals Are a Problem—And How to Reduce Your Exposure
That’s not to say genes are entirely dispositive; having genes associated with the condition does not mean a child will inevitably develop it.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Apr. 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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Between 1995 and 2010, CCM and its presidential candidates could win determinative vote shares while minimizing costly repression and fraud.—
Yonatan Morse,
The Conversation,
19 Dec. 2025
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But, ultimately, the president would not play a determinative role in interest rate decisions.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
14 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Prosecutors said McBride received a determinate sentence of 20 years and four months in prison, to be followed by an indeterminate sentence of 75 years to life in prison.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Cucumbers, beans, small squash and melon plants, annual herbs, determinate tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, lettuce, leafy greens, and annual flowers like cosmos and zinnias are just some of the plants that can grow in straw bale gardens.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Anatomy of a Merger — Jim Freund A clear, deal-lawyer’s view of how acquisitions unfold, from negotiation through closing and early integration.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Hood said interstates and main highways are pretty clear, but many rural county roads are probably still covered in ice.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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No conclusive plan has been formed to either engage in talks with another professional sports team or repurpose the current site of Arrowhead Stadium – though Lucas and LeVota, respectively, said the city and county could explore both in the next five years.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
23 Dec. 2025
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While there is no conclusive evidence indicating a best time to drink aloe vera gel for digestive health, consuming it at specific times may support different health goals.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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