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decisive

adjective
de·​ci·​sive | \ di-ˈsÄ«-siv How to pronounce decisive (audio) \

Definition of decisive

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
Other Words from decisive Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about decisive

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Other Words from decisive

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Michigan baseball takes on Vanderbilt in the decisive Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Wednesday (7 p.m., ESPN). — And, Detroit Free Press, "College World Series predictions: Will Michigan baseball win national title tonight?," 26 June 2019 The striking is pretty wild open but neither man is able to land a decisive blow. 10-9 Davis. — Todd Martin, Los Angeles Times, "UFC 241 live updates: Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic," 17 Aug. 2019 Making a Film, Breaking the Blacklist,’’ Douglas claimed primary credit for hiring Trumbo, securing the writer’s screen credit, and striking the decisive blow against anticommunist hysteria in Hollywood. — Harrison Smith, BostonGlobe.com, "Edward Lewis, ‘Spartacus’ producer who helped break the blacklist, dies at 99," 14 Aug. 2019 Cheered on by thick roadside crowds, Alaphilippe delivered the decisive blow on the Cote de Mutigny, the steepest of four notable hill climbs heading toward Epernay. — John Leicester, courant.com, "Tour de France: Alaphilippe’s surprise attack earns yellow jersey," 8 July 2019 In the decisive second game, Mickey Case had the go-ahead RBI single before David Elias had a 2-run single, CJ Mazzilli and Nicolas Campbell each added an RBI single before John Carrow closed out the 8-run rally with a 2-run single. — sun-sentinel.com, "North Springs Little League Juniors win district, sectional titles," 3 July 2019 With the Warriors losing Kevin Durant against Houston in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals with a strained left calf, the Warriors entered a decisive Game 6 without much depth. — Mark Medina, The Mercury News, "What’s next for Jordan Bell after he becomes a restricted free agent?," 28 June 2019 Far from dealing a decisive blow to the monopolistic creep of corporate America, the government’s failure against AT&T will probably have the opposite effect. — Felix Gillette, Bloomberg.com, "Get Ready for Big Media to Get Bigger After AT&T Victory," 13 June 2018 With the score tied at 3-3, Fishers left fielder Ben Burton delivered the decisive blow, an RBI triple in the seventh. — Jon Sauber, Indianapolis Star, "HS baseball: Fishers ends Noblesville's sectional run, gets Zionsville next," 28 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decisive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of decisive

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for decisive

decisive

adjective
How to pronounce decisive (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of decisive

: able to make choices quickly and confidently
: causing something to end in a particular way : determining what the result of something will be
: very clear and obvious

See the full definition for decisive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

decisive

adjective
de·​ci·​sive | \ di-ˈsÄ«-siv How to pronounce decisive (audio) \

Kids Definition of decisive

1 : causing something to end in a certain way The lawyer offered decisive proof.
2 : unmistakable, unquestionable a decisive victory
3 : firmly determined He began in a decisive manner.

Other Words from decisive

decisively adverb

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that r

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