decisive

[dih-sahy-siv]

adjective

1. having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important.

   Your argument was the decisive one.

   Synonyms: final, conclusive

2. characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined.

   The general was known for his decisive manner.

   Synonyms: firm

3. indisputable; definite.

   a decisive defeat.

4. unsurpassable; commanding.

   a decisive lead in the voting.

decisive

/ dɪˈsaɪsɪv /

adjective

1. influential; conclusive

   a decisive argument

2. characterized by the ability to make decisions, esp quickly; resolute

Other Word Forms

• decisively adverb
• decisiveness noun
• nondecisive adjective
• predecisive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decisive¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin dēcīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dēcīs(us) ( decision ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )

Example Sentences

If Turner and the Phillies win again Thursday, the series returns to Philadelphia and raucous Citizens Bank Park — where the Phillies had the best home record in baseball — for a decisive Game 5 on Saturday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s going to be a late night in Inglewood as these two schools vie for what could be the decisive game to determine the Bay League championship.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Egyptian and Qatari officials will be the intermediaries, and the Americans who will also be there will be a major influence, perhaps a decisive one.

Read more on BBC

"Their discoveries have been decisive for our understanding of how the immune system functions and why we do not all develop serious autoimmune diseases," says Olle Kämpe, chair of the Nobel Committee.

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Despite losing two more central defenders to injury on Saturday and missing star attacker Cole Palmer, Chelsea found a way to win - with Estevao delivering the decisive moment.

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Related Words

• conclusive 
• critical 
• crucial 
• definitive 
• determined 
• fateful 
• forceful 
• influential 
• momentous 
• positive 
• resolute 
• significant