Synonym Chooser

How is the word conclusive different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of conclusive are decisive, definitive, and determinative. While all these words mean "bringing to an end," conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.

conclusive evidence

When would decisive be a good substitute for conclusive?

The words decisive and conclusive can be used in similar contexts, but decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.

a decisive battle

When could definitive be used to replace conclusive?

The meanings of definitive and conclusive largely overlap; however, definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.

the definitive biography

When might determinative be a better fit than conclusive?

While in some cases nearly identical to conclusive, determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction.

the determinative factor in the court's decision

Examples of conclusive in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web Without conclusive data, the coalition wants the city to preserve more land for the tree by cutting back on the light industrial buildings and business park planned in its vicinty. Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024 The Chandra X-ray Observatory, a sophisticated orbiting telescope, detected an X-ray flare leap from the center of the Milky Way into oblivion, offering nearly conclusive proof. Mark Jones, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2024 This is despite the fact that there is no conclusive evidence that trans women athletes have an innate athletic advantage over cisgender women. James Factora, Them, 6 Aug. 2024 As frightening as this news might seem, more research is needed before any conclusive calls can be made about the use of tampons. Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for conclusive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclusive
Adjective
  • Researchers have long thought that proto-cuneiform developed from these early accounting methods, but there was no definitive link to show how the transition occurred.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Crypto Confidential: Forbes' definitive guide to crypto and blockchain, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
    Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The app looks convincing, complete with logos and familiar user interface elements.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Nobody’s story — not Ingram’s, not Awuah-Darko’s, not Wiley’s — looks completely convincing from the outside.
    Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The value of assets tied to Donald Trump — and those likely to benefit under his administration — surged in the wake of his decisive electoral victory on Tuesday.
    Rob Wile, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Both parties are preparing to challenge ballots, especially if mail-in or absentee votes are decisive in swing states, raising the possibility of prolonged court fights.
    Mike Allen, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • That said, there's a compelling case to stick with it.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • When Los Tigres Del Norte took the stage at a Harris-Walz rally in Las Vegas just before Election Day, the band channeled the frustrations of many Latino voters, providing a compelling response to Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The day after Simpson’s arrest last month, a federal complaint was filed against him.
    Antonio Planas, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Prosecutors filed vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash, and car theft charges against Gonzalez last month, records show.
    Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Editor’s picks One way to maintain respect in the workplace is by creating clear boundaries.
    Stephen Nalley, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
  • But even before the results are final, there are some clear winners and losers in this year’s topsy-turvy race for the White House between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Some people argue that the outcome disenfranchises the California residents whose votes should have been determinative.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Research continually demonstrates that candidate gender is not a primary predictor of vote choice, instead showing consistently party as a more determinative factor.
    Kelly Dittmar, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near conclusive

Cite this Entry

“Conclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclusive. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on conclusive

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!