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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
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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Space supported or caged determinate tomato plants 1½ to 2 feet apart, increasing the spacing to 2 to 2½ feet for unsupported plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
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Look for determinate tomato varieties, which are less sprawling and more suitable for containers than indeterminate varieties.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For a metro growing as fast as Charlotte, stores that survive will have clear identity on price, in-store experience or convenience, Lempert said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
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The board terminated him, and now, for this latest incident to happen, the school board is sending another clear message.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The research isn’t conclusive, however.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
18 Mar. 2026
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The broader data is less conclusive on mental health benefits, said West, perhaps because participants get anxious about the programs ending, coupled with the rising cost of living.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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