decisive
- 1Having the power to settle a question or dispute conclusively; final and beyond further contest.
The court's decisive ruling brought decades of litigation to a close.
A decisive battle determined the outcome of the entire war.
Similarconclusive, final, determining, crucial, definitive
Oppositeinconclusive, indecisive
- 2Acting or done quickly and firmly, without hesitation or wavering.
The captain remained decisive under pressure, issuing clear orders without hesitation.
Investors prize managers who are decisive enough to act before the window closes.
Similarresolute, firm, determined, purposeful, unhesitating
Oppositeindecisive, hesitant, irresolute, wavering
- 3Firmly settled and not open to dispute; definite and incontrovertible.
The lab results were decisive, leaving no question about the diagnosis.
The data revealed a decisive advantage for the new treatment.
Similarconclusive, definite, clear, incontrovertible, unequivocal
Oppositeinconclusive, ambiguous, equivocal
Practice
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Origin
From Middle French décisif, equivalent to "decide" plus the suffix "-ive".