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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of conclusive An official from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is leading the Palisades fire investigation, said nothing is conclusive this early on. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 Whisker Labs’ data, which does not provide conclusive evidence about how a wildfire began, could play a pivotal role in helping to determine the cause of the Eaton fire, which increasingly has focused on possible electrical failures on the transmission network in Eaton Canyon. Ivan Penn, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025 No conclusive evidence has been found to back either theory—scientists have not identified one animal that might have infected humans first, and investigators have not found proof that one of the Wuhan labs was working on a virus that led to the pandemic. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025 Mexican food came out as the conclusive winner in Arizona, with an average of more than 50,000 Google searches per month, which is about 550 monthly searches per 100,000 people. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conclusive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conclusive
Adjective
  • The dual themes gave audiences plenty to unpack and the references mentioned here are not by any means a definitive or exhaustive list of all that was included.
    Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
  • This 1989 build is No. 26 of the 29 made, and one of nine finished in the model’s definitive Blutengelb (Blossom Yellow) paint.
    Howard Walker, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This convincing copycat Chili’s queso might actually be more exciting than the game.
    Christine Byrne, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2025
  • One was a convincing performance: 69-50 on the road against a fading Nevada team.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • After the court of public opinion gave him a decisive win in his spring rap feud with Drake, a Super Bowl halftime performance days away and an upcoming tour, Lamar is on a dominant winning streak.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Building a conservative infrastructure Powell captured the conservative zeitgeist at the onset of what would become a long and decisive right turn in American politics.
    Colin Gordon, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In matters of texture, cotton, knits, and compelling fabrics arrived in the form of modern corsetry, slick pantsuits, and boisterous dresses in assorted hues.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Quan and DeBose, for all their talent, haven’t been given anything compelling to do — or really even say.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Two dogs that mauled a 73-year-old woman in Idaho last year had cocaine in their systems, according to pathology reports obtained this week by the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
    Laura A. Bischoff, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had about 1,700 employees late last year.
    Matt Sedensky, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
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
  • What is clear is that the offseason is now over, spring training is underway and the Yankees have done nothing to replace Torres.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Now that Bregman is on board, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge, yet there are still questions to be answered.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Elon Musk's embrace of Donald Trump is poised to have a determinative effect on the Tesla, SpaceX and X boss' empire.
    Nathan Bomey, Axios, 16 July 2024
  • Former manufacturing towns are unpredictable and could be the most determinative places in the state.
    Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near conclusive

Cite this Entry

“Conclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conclusive. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conclusive

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