decisive

[ dih-sahy-siv ]

/ dɪˈsaɪ sɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR decisive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important: Your argument was the decisive one.

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

indisputable; definite: a decisive defeat.

unsurpassable; commanding: a decisive lead in the voting.

Nearby words

Origin of decisive

1605–15; < Medieval Latin dēcīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dēcīs(us) (see decision) + -īvus -ive

SYNONYMS FOR decisive

1. conclusive, final. 2. firm.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR decisive ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

de·ci·sive·ly, adverbde·ci·sive·ness, nounnon·de·ci·sive, adjectivenon·de·ci·sive·ly, adverb

non·de·ci·sive·ness, nounpre·de·ci·sive, adjectivepre·de·ci·sive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for decisively

The respectable reformers, meanwhile, know how rare a chance 2016 is to decisively shape our national affairs.
The GOP Flees to the Cleve|James Poulos|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
First-time candidate and full-time economics professor Dave Brat decisively defeated the consummate pol by a 55 to 45 margin.
Tea Party Cannibalizes Cantor|John Avlon|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conversely, the Bridgegate story now clearly and decisively is a real politically motivated scandal.
Chris Christie Took His Sweet Time to Find the Truth About Bridgegate|Sally Kohn|January 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But then he very skillfully and decisively throws Carrie overboard to protect the agency.
‘Homeland’ Showrunner: ‘We Knew We Had to Plot a New Course’|Andrew Romano|September 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Egyptians were still looking to it to restore order, and to decisively end the Brotherhood protest movement.
Thy Hand, Great Anarch!|Hussein Ibish|August 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Then he decisively reached forward and put his hand over her mouth.
The Fifth-Dimension Tube|William Fitzgerald Jenkins
My friends of the Congress: The world is waiting to see how wisely and decisively a free representative government will now act.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
He asked himself question after question, answering them quickly and decisively in the same breath.
The Danger Trail|James Oliver Curwood
The opportune arrival of the naval guns also, though by so narrow a margin of time, decisively influenced the outcome.
Story of the War in South Africa|Captain A. T. Mahan, U.S.N.
“I do not agree with you,” said Joe decisively, and in her womanly intelligence of life she understood the mistake John made.
An American Politician|F. Marion Crawford

British Dictionary definitions for decisively

decisive

/ (dɪˈsaɪsɪv) /

adjective

influential; conclusivea decisive argument

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

Derived Formsdecisively, adverbdecisiveness, 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

Word Origin and History for decisively

decisive

adj.

1610s, from Medieval Latin decisivus, from Latin decis-, past participle stem of decidere (see decide). Related: Decisively; decisiveness.

decisive

adjective

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Origin of decisive

Examples from the Web for decisively

decisive

adjective

decisive