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dispositive

American  
[dih-spoz-i-tiv] / dɪˈspɒz ɪ tɪv /

adjective

  1. involving or affecting disposition or settlement.

    a dispositive clue in a case of embezzlement.


Etymology

Origin of dispositive

1475–85; dispose + -itive, on the model of positive

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:

That is why Wall Street’s 60% is interesting rather than dispositive.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

When judicial outcomes turn on theories that corporate decision makers couldn’t reasonably anticipate would be dispositive, such as after-the-fact judgments about incentive necessity, governance risk becomes harder to assess in advance.

From Barron's ● Jan. 14, 2026

The evidence for both near-death experiences and childhood memories of previous lives is persuasive in terms of the credibility of the sources and verified facts, but much of it is strongly suggestive instead of dispositive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025

In one especially Kafkaesque incident, I was even shut out of a hearing on dispositive motions for my client, Daniel Hale, even though there was no classified information at issue.

From Salon ● Dec. 15, 2024

The parties shall give notice of any arbitration award to the Administrator, and such award shall, as between the parties to the arbitration, be dispositive of the issues to which it relates.

From Copyright Law of the United States of America and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code, Circular 92 by United States

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