decisively

[dih-sahy-siv-lee]

adverb

1. in a way that settles a matter and puts an end to debate or speculation.

   The question, "Do habitable conditions for life exist elsewhere in the galaxy?" has been decisively answered in the affirmative.

2. in a firm and resolute way, without wavering.

   The Executive Office must be able to move quickly and decisively to preserve endangered ecosystems, history, or prehistory on federal land.

3. in a clear or definite way; indisputably.

   She has not only decisively beaten but ended the political career of every candidate who ran against her.

Other Word Forms

• nondecisively adverb
• predecisively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of decisively¹

decisive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The failure to respond decisively is the geopolitical equivalent of runaway deficit spending.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"But we have to decisively address this Republican health care crisis that is devastating hard-working American taxpayers."

Read more on BBC

For Leverkusen, there were periods of games when Wirtz would walk or lightly jog to recover, allowing him to use his burst more decisively.

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The Conservatives were voted out decisively in 2024, after 14 years in power, and lack strong popular support at the moment.

Read more on Salon

Here is a president who dealt with electoral loss by claiming fraud and by instigating his military and civilian supporters to violence, and who has been held decisively to account.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• actually 
• categorically 
• definitely 
• doubtless 
• exactly 
• positively 
• precisely 
• really 
• surely 
• truly 
• unconditionally 
• unquestionably