DECISIVE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does decisive mean? 

• DECISIVE (adjective)
  The adjective DECISIVE has 4 senses:

1. determining or having the power to determine an outcome

2. unmistakable

3. characterized by decision and firmness

4. forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

  Familiarity information: DECISIVE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DECISIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Determining or having the power to determine an outcome

Context example:

two factors had a decisive influence

Similar:

deciding; determinant; determinative; determining (having the power or quality of deciding)

fatal; fateful (having momentous consequences; of decisive importance)

peremptory (putting an end to all debate or action)

Also:

conclusive (forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question)

crucial; important (of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis)

Antonym:

indecisive (not definitely settling something)

Derivation:

decide (influence or determine)

decisiveness (the quality of being final or definitely settled)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Unmistakable

Context example:

had a decisive lead in the polls

Similar:

definite (precise; explicit and clearly defined)

Derivation:

decisiveness (the quality of being final or definitely settled)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Characterized by decision and firmness

Context example:

she gave him a decisive answer

Similar:

resolute; unhesitating (characterized by quickness and firmness)

Also:

resolute (firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination)

Antonym:

indecisive (characterized by lack of decision and firmness)

Derivation:

decide (reach, make, or come to a decision about something)

decide (bring to an end; settle conclusively)

decisiveness (the trait of resoluteness as evidenced by firmness of character or purpose)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

Synonyms:

critical; decisive

Context example:

the critical test

Similar:

crucial; important (of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis)

Derivation:

decisiveness (the quality of being final or definitely settled)

 Context examples 

You’ll also surely want to circle Friday, March 27, when Venus and Jupiter will make a decisive and supportive aspect linking your house of truelove.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

After this decisive conclusion, I entreated to be heard a word or two.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

“No, sir,” said the Prime Minister, with the quick, decisive manner for which he was famous.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Would I!" was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

One sudden and desolating change had taken place; but a thousand little circumstances might have by degrees worked other alterations, which, although they were done more tranquilly, might not be the less decisive.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

The decisive factor used to help segregate the study subject into a stratum group.

(Defined Stratification Criterion, NCI Thesaurus)

The only certainty to be drawn from it was, that nothing decisive had yet taken place.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

We have been privileged, he cried, strutting about like a gamecock, to be present at one of the typical decisive battles of history—the battles which have determined the fate of the world.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The style of the visit, and the shortness of it, were then felt to be decisive.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Elinor, smiling at the grave and decisive importance of her brother's tone, calmly replied, The lady, I suppose, has no choice in the affair.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)