decisive
adjective
de·ci·sive di-ˈsī-siv 
1
: having the power or quality of deciding
The council president cast the decisive vote.
a decisive battle
2
: resolute, determined
a decisive manner
decisive leaders
a decisive editor
3
: unmistakable, unquestionable
a decisive superiority
decisively adverb
decisiveness noun
Synonyms
- bent (on or upon)
- bound
- determined
- do-or-die
- firm
- hell-bent (on or upon)
- intent
- out
- purposeful
- resolute
- resolved
- set
- single-minded
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
You must be decisive and persistent to succeed in this competitive field. I stood there wondering what to do, but my sister was more decisive and immediately went to the phone. The fight ended with a decisive blow. the decisive battle of the war The poverty of his childhood played a decisive role in his adult life. The meeting is seen as a decisive step toward a peace treaty. See More
Recent Examples on the Web This time, the vice president is addressing the global summit just days before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as the world braces for what could be a decisive spring fighting season. —
Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2023 And that means, barring a decisive military move by either side, the war probably will grind on. —David Axe, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023 The decisive stretch began with a huge offensive rebound by Buie, setting up Audige's 3-pointer. —Jay Cohen, ajc, 13 Feb. 2023 Mitchell splashed a 3-pointer with 9:54 left in the game for a 76-74 Cavs lead, their first since the first quarter, in the decisive run. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023 His was the decisive voice in campaign endorsements. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 10 Feb. 2023 The district is taking swift and decisive steps to address the allegations. —Dallas News, 8 Feb. 2023 The study found that indecisive people struggled with decluttering more than people who scored as decisive and action-oriented. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2023 In a battle of big men, a point guard made the decisive play. —Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Feb. 2023 See More
Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2023 And that means, barring a decisive military move by either side, the war probably will grind on. —David Axe, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023 The decisive stretch began with a huge offensive rebound by Buie, setting up Audige's 3-pointer. —Jay Cohen, ajc, 13 Feb. 2023 Mitchell splashed a 3-pointer with 9:54 left in the game for a 76-74 Cavs lead, their first since the first quarter, in the decisive run. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023 His was the decisive voice in campaign endorsements. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 10 Feb. 2023 The district is taking swift and decisive steps to address the allegations. —Dallas News, 8 Feb. 2023 The study found that indecisive people struggled with decluttering more than people who scored as decisive and action-oriented. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2023 In a battle of big men, a point guard made the decisive play. —Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Feb. 2023 See More Word History
First Known Use
1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing decisive
Kids Definition
decisive
adjective de·ci·sive di-ˈsī-siv
1
: having the power to decide
the decisive vote
2
: unmistakable, unquestionable
a decisive victory
3
: marked by or showing decision
a decisive manner
decisively adverb
decisiveness noun
decisive
adjective
1
as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal only a team with a decisive attitude is going to win a state championship Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- resolute
- determined
- intent
- positive
- confident
- purposeful
- firm
- resolved
- out
- do-or-die
- bound
- serious
- adamant
- set
- single-minded
- vehement
- hell-bent (on or upon)
- bent (on or upon)
- willful
- persistent
- unhesitating
- earnest
- sure
- certain
- steady
- stubborn
- hardened
- tenacious
- uncompromising
- bitter
- on one's mettle
- unwavering
- implacable
- cocksure
- unfaltering
- unswerving
- hardheaded
- unrelenting
- unbending
- unyielding
- obdurate
- headstrong
- rigid
- pigheaded
- hard
- pertinacious
- dogged
- immovable
- adamantine
- mulish
- inflexible
- perverse
- wilful
- self-willed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indecisive
- hesitant
- uncertain
- undetermined
- irresolute
- unresolved
- faltering
- doubtful
- suspicious
- skeptical
- dubious
- unsure
- undecided
- unsettled
- vacillating
- wavering
- reluctant
- unconvinced
- distrustful
- mistrustful
- weak-kneed
- loath
- disinclined
- indisposed
- loth
- loathe
2
as in conclusive
having the power to persuade a lawyer who knows how to construct the kind of decisive argument that sways a jury Synonyms & Similar Words
- conclusive
- convincing
- compelling
- strong
- effective
- persuasive
- forceful
- cogent
- satisfying
- definitive
- valid
- telling
- authoritative
- important
- significant
- relevant
- sound
- pertinent
- weighty
- well-founded
- material
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inconclusive
- indecisive
- ineffective
- unconvincing
- shaky
- insignificant
- unimportant
- invalid
- irrelevant
- unfounded
- inconsequential
- unpersuasive
- unsound
- immaterial
- weak
- groundless
- uncompelling
- feeble
3
as in definitive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning the decisive finding of the coroner regarding the cause of death Synonyms & Similar Words
- conclusive
- definitive
- determinative
- deciding
- clear
- last
- determinate
- definite
- convincing
- indisputable
- compelling
- positive
- dispositive
- incontestable
- unquestionable
- irrefutable
- absolute
- unequivocal
- incontrovertible
- undisputable
- undeniable
- unambiguous
- indubitable
- unanswerable
- persuasive
- undebatable
- inarguable
- uncontested
- undisputed
- cogent
- unchallenged
- sure
- telling
- certain
- hands-down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indecisive
- inconclusive
- doubtful
- unclear
- problematical
- problematic
- debatable
- questionable
- ambiguous
- disputable
- controversial
- moot
- equivocal
- disputed
- refutable
- doubtable
- debated
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of decisive are conclusive, definitive, and determinative. While all these words mean "bringing to an end," decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.
a decisive battle
In some situations, the words conclusive and decisive are roughly equivalent. However, conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.
conclusive evidence
The words definitive and decisive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.
the definitive biography
The meanings of determinative and decisive largely overlap; however, determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction.
the determinative factor in the court's decision