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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The decisive goal against Tottenham was almost perfectly ‘Forest’. Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024 Republicans have been blessed with the White House and both chambers in Congress — and Donald Trump’s decisive victory has given them a mandate. John Tillman, National Review, 27 Dec. 2024 India had entered the decisive fourth Test with the momentum after a stirring late fightback ensured the match in Brisbane finished in a draw. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 According to Ronda, the unrest was primarily driven by young supporters of opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, who secured 24 percent of the vote, compared to Chapo's decisive 65 percent. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for decisive 

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 30 Dec. 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

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