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definitively

American  
[dih-fin-i-tiv-lee] / dɪˈfɪn ɪ tɪv li /

adverb

  1. in a way that is definite, complete, final, or absolute.

    There is no forensic evidence to definitively identify the attacker.

    The court's ruling is seen as a missed opportunity to resolve the issue definitively.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of definitively

definitive ( def. ) + -ly

Vocabulary lists containing definitively

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.

See Examples For:

"We are trying to definitively encircle the fire today," regional government spokesperson Nicolas Yernaux told AFP.

From Barron's Aug. 18, 2026

Taylor Farms used the revision to push back on the idea that its lettuce had been definitively identified as the source; federal officials, though, maintained that the broader epidemiological and traceback evidence still pointed there.

From Salon Aug. 14, 2026

Meanwhile, the agency last summer scuttled Capricor’s treatment for patients with advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy because it claimed its randomized control trial for patients was too small to determine definitively that the treatment worked.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 28, 2026

"My hope is that we prove to players over time that this is definitively a good thing for the game and the community," Steranka says.

From BBC Jul. 13, 2026

With the thrump of three car doors, Kathy was suddenly and definitively alone.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

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