decisive

adjective

de·​ci·​sive di-ˈsī-siv 

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

Synonyms

• bent (on or upon)
• bound
• determined
• do-or-die
• firm
• hell-bent (on or upon)
• intent
• out
• purposeful
• resolute
• resolved
• set
• single-minded

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

Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Charlotte’s victory in the series-deciding finale improved its record to 3-4 all time in its modern history (since 1994) and was the second in three season; Charlotte won the decisive third game of a best-of-three series in 2023 over Lehigh Valley. —Richard Walker, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2025

On Sunday, after putting his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on the pole Saturday, Larson defended his victory in far more decisive fashion, leading 221 of 267 laps in winning the AdventHealth 400 at the 1.5-mile track. —The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2025

Those voters were decisive in his election victory. —Lynn Forester De Rothschild, Time, 11 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing decisive

• decisive action
• decisive/deciding/determining factor

Rhymes for decisive

• divisive
• incisive
• indecisive

Kids Definition

decisive

adjective

de·​ci·​sive di-ˈsī-siv 

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