decisive
Americanadjective
-
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
-
characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined.
The general was known for his decisive manner.
- Synonyms:
- firm
-
a decisive defeat.
-
unsurpassable; commanding.
a decisive lead in the voting.
adjective
-
influential; conclusive
a decisive argument
-
characterized by the ability to make decisions, esp quickly; resolute
Other Word Forms
- decisively adverb
- decisiveness noun
- nondecisive adjective
- predecisive adjective
Etymology
Origin of decisive
First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin dēcīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dēcīs(us) ( decision ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was a decisive step toward modernizing the financial system and reinforcing the dollar’s global role.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
The American had looked to be heading for defeat after the 77th-ranked Burruchaga engineered a trio of match points while leading 5-3 on Paul's serve in the decisive third set.
From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026
“If you don’t, you’ll end up getting something swiped out from underneath you pretty quick. Be fast and be decisive, because there are a lot of people competing for a very limited amount of listings.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
He argues that if the jailed democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is released, she could play a decisive role, even at the age of 80, in finding an acceptable compromise.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
With the domestication of animals and edible plants, people won a decisive victory in this battle, assuring our survival on this planet.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
