decisive

adjective

de·​ci·​sive di-ˈsī-siv How to pronounce decisive (audio)
1
: having the power or quality of deciding
The council president cast the decisive vote.
a decisive battle
2
: resolute, determined
a decisive manner
decisive leaders
a decisive editor
3
: unmistakable, unquestionable
a decisive superiority
decisively adverb
decisiveness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for decisive

conclusive, decisive, determinative, definitive mean bringing to an end.

conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.

conclusive evidence

decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.

a decisive battle

determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction.

the determinative factor in the court's decision

definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.

the definitive biography

Examples of decisive in a Sentence

You must be decisive and persistent to succeed in this competitive field. I stood there wondering what to do, but my sister was more decisive and immediately went to the phone. The fight ended with a decisive blow. the decisive battle of the war The poverty of his childhood played a decisive role in his adult life. The meeting is seen as a decisive step toward a peace treaty.
Recent Examples on the Web Julien conferred on the phone with another prospective buyer, then gave a decisive negative shake of his head. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Renowned for her iconic headers and decisive defending, Beattie leaves behind a legacy at Arsenal having made 166 appearances and knocking in 33 goals. Amanda Davies, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Coupled with voters in seven states siding with the liberal position on ballot questions since 2022, Biden and his allies have confidence that this will be a decisive subject in November. USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 After starting the 2023-24 season with a loss to local rival Point Loma Nazarene, the Cougars will carry their season further into the Division II playoffs with a decisive victory that did more than avenge that season-opening loss. U-T Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 Long an anathema to mainstream politicians, Mr. Wilders has been at the center of coalition negotiations in the months since his decisive election victory in November. Claire Moses, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 But the clash also captured how Trump is hoping to make inroads with Black voters, especially men, given that even a small improvement could be decisive in electoral battlegrounds such as Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Marianne Levine, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The Cardinal trailed by eight at halftime before their decisive run, which included eight points from Demetre. W.g. Ramirez, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 The producer acknowledged the decisive involvement of sales outfit Cinephil, who came on board at an early stage, next to 20 philanthropic foundations, film funds and freedom of the press orgs. Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decisive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French decisif, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēcīsīvus, from Latin dēcīsus, past participle of dēcīdere "to cut off, cut out, mark by cutting, settle, choose as a course of action" + -īvus -ive — more at decide

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decisive was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near decisive

Cite this Entry

“Decisive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decisive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decisive

adjective
de·​ci·​sive di-ˈsī-siv How to pronounce decisive (audio)
1
: having the power to decide
the decisive vote
2
: unmistakable, unquestionable
a decisive victory
3
: marked by or showing decision
a decisive manner
decisively adverb
decisiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on decisive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!