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
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
So, barring any change the husband’s dispositive plan is undermined and his children will only receive about $7 million initially.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
The reality that this prosecution more likely would diminish rather than enhance consumer welfare will not be legally dispositive.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
The simple fact that American technology companies are some of the largest companies in the world and thus will necessarily see larger levies is not dispositive of some sort of anti-American bias.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
So, barring any change the husband’s dispositive plan is undermined and his children will only receive about $7 million initially.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
The reality that this prosecution more likely would diminish rather than enhance consumer welfare will not be legally dispositive.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
The simple fact that American technology companies are some of the largest companies in the world and thus will necessarily see larger levies is not dispositive of some sort of anti-American bias.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispositive
Adjective
-
But as independents ourselves, the two of us can’t participate despite the fact that primaries are often more determinative of who gets elected than the November general election.—
Dr. Jessie Fields,
New York Daily News,
1 June 2025
-
To make market size less determinative and chaos more predictable.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Then space your determinate tomatoes out by 18 to 24 inches per plant and your indeterminate tomato plants 18 inches apart.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Then space your determinate tomatoes out by 18 to 24 inches per plant and your indeterminate tomato plants 18 inches apart.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But his bet is clear: That in a fractured media world, personality, tone, and trust matter more than legacy or even scale.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
Now it's become clear that electric vehicles won’t take over as quickly as expected.—
Stuart Dyos,
The Tennessean,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
The forensic evidence was so conclusive that the case settled for a fraction of the initial demand, saving millions in potential damages.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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So Professor Thackeray, being a smart and thorough scientist, decided to obtain conclusive proof.—
Sam Kelly
July 8,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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