Decisive

  • 1Decisive — De*ci*sive, a. [Cf. F. d[ e]cisif. See {Decision}.] 1. Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive. A decisive, irrevocable doom. Bates. Decisive campaign.… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2decisive — [dēsī′siv, disī′siv] adj. [ML decisivus < L decisus: see DECISION] 1. that settles or can settle a dispute, question, etc.; conclusive [decisive evidence] 2. determining or closely affecting what comes next; critically important; crucial [a… …

    English World dictionary

  • 3decisive — I adjective absolute, assured, authoritative, beyond all dispute, beyond all question, categorical, certain, characterized by decision, clear, clearly defined, commanding, compelling, conclusive, conclusory, consequential, critical, crucial,… …

    Law dictionary

  • 4decisive — 1610s, from M.L. decisivus, from L. decis , pp. stem of decidere (see DECIDE (Cf. decide)). Related: Decisively …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5decisive — 1 *conclusive, determinative, definitive Analogous words: critical, crucial, *acute: momentous, significant, consequential, important (see corresponding nouns at IMPORTANCE) Antonyms: indecisive 2 *decided Analogous words: peremptory, imperative …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 6decisive — [adj] definite absolute, all out*, assured, bent, certain, conclusive, crisp, critical, crucial, decided, definitive, determined, fateful, final, firm, flat out*, forceful, imperative, imperious, incisive, influential, intent, litmus test*,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 7decisive — ► ADJECTIVE 1) settling an issue quickly. 2) able to make decisions quickly. DERIVATIVES decisively adverb decisiveness noun …

    English terms dictionary

  • 8decisive — adjective 1 a decisive step/role/battle etc an action, event etc that has a powerful effect on the final result of something: Waterloo was the decisive battle of the entire war. 2 good at making decisions quickly and with confidence: a decisive… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 9decisive — de|ci|sive [dıˈsaısıv] adj 1.) an action, event etc that is decisive has a big effect on the way that something develops decisive factor/effect/influence etc ▪ Women can play a decisive role in the debate over cloning. decisive action/steps ▪ We… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 10decisive — de|ci|sive [ dı saısıv ] adjective ** 1. ) making the final result of a situation completely certain: Gettysburg, site of the final, decisive battle of the Civil War Cleveland s reputation for reliability was the decisive factor in winning the… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English