decisive

[ dih-sahy-siv ]
See synonyms for decisive on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important: Your argument was the decisive one.

  2. characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined: The general was known for his decisive manner.

  1. indisputable; definite: a decisive defeat.

  2. unsurpassable; commanding: a decisive lead in the voting.

Origin of decisive

1
First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin dēcīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dēcīs(us) (see decision) + -īvus adjective suffix (see -ive)

Other words for decisive

Other words from decisive

  • de·ci·sive·ly, adverb
  • de·ci·sive·ness, noun
  • non·de·ci·sive, adjective
  • pre·de·ci·sive, adjective

Words Nearby decisive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use decisive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for decisive

decisive

/ (dɪˈsaɪsɪv) /


adjective
  1. influential; conclusive: a decisive argument

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

Derived forms of decisive

  • decisively, adverb
  • decisiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012