conclusive

[kuhn-kloo-siv]

adjective

1. serving to settle or decide a question; decisive; convincing.

   conclusive evidence.

   Synonyms: definitive

2. tending to terminate; closing.

conclusive

/ kənˈkluːsɪv /

adjective

1. putting an end to doubt; decisive; final

2. approaching or involving an end or conclusion

Other Word Forms

• conclusively adverb
• conclusiveness noun
• nonconclusive adjective
• nonconclusively adverb
• nonconclusiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conclusive¹

1580–90; < Late Latin conclūsīvus, equivalent to Latin conclūs ( us ) (past participle of conclūdere to conclude; conclusion ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

A federal judge dismissed the case, saying research from the parents' expert witnesses was not conclusive.

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The cultural data points are intriguing, if not yet conclusive.

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The fundamental question of whether ESG investment pays off also remains without a conclusive answer, not least because the category itself is so loosely defined.

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Still, Roger Fielding, a senior scientist at Tufts University, says evidence on bone density isn’t conclusive.

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There is no conclusive evidence for either of these theories - but that hasn't stopped amateur and professional historians from digging into them.

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Related Words

• compelling 
• convincing 
• decisive 
• indisputable 
• irrefutable 
• irrevocable 
• precise 
• unambiguous 
• undeniable 
• unmistakable