Definition of decisive in English:

adjective

• 1Settling an issue; producing a definite result.

  ‘the archers played a decisive part in the victory’

  ‘a decisive battle’

  More example sentences

  • ‘That goal proved crucial as it was the only decisive result between the top four teams.’
  • ‘In 1918 across the Western Front and in Italy the decisive final battles of the war were fought.’
  • ‘Holland is expected to deliver a similarly decisive result when a referendum is held there tomorrow.’
  • ‘I agree with that analysis and I regard it as decisive of the issue which is before us in this case.’
  • ‘The decisive battle was fought in Ireland.’
  • ‘It was the decisive land battle of the Second World War and saw armoured and aerial clashes on a ferocious scale.’
  • ‘Wind and weather have frequently played a decisive role in battles or campaigns.’
  • ‘This means that it is a matter for the judge, and expert evidence will not be decisive.’
  • ‘David Jack was again the goal hero in the final, making the decisive strike 15 minutes from the end.’
  • ‘The findings were so decisive and conclusive as to leave absolutely no room for argument.’
  • ‘Back at the summit, I believe the new rules could well play a decisive role in determining who comes out on top.’
  • ‘In the event, these were to make a decisive contribution to the final outcome of the Cold War.’
  • ‘We are at a decisive moment in British politics where Europe is concerned.’
  • ‘The vote was a decisive and important one as it was his first time as leader facing the public.’
  • ‘The artillery was expected to play a decisive role in the opening stages of a battle.’
  • ‘This election was perhaps the first one in which the electronic media played a decisive role.’
  • ‘Tracing back their lives, the survey found that in almost every case the decisive factor had been marriage.’
  • ‘Gillingham scored the decisive goal only six minutes after Cox's red card.’
  • ‘Today's game will be so tight that a single mishap could prove decisive.’
  • ‘Unfortunately, a heavy price had been paid for the decisive victory that morning.’

  Synonyms

  deciding, conclusive, determining, final, settling, key

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• 2Having or showing the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively.

  ‘she had an image of being tough and decisive’

  ‘he handled the situation in a calm, decisive way’

  More example sentences

  • ‘But the motives of many are a more base fear of the side effects of doing anything decisive.’
  • ‘The firm and decisive action taken indicates how seriously the ECB and the club have treated the case.’
  • ‘You may be frustrated with him or her for not being very decisive.’
  • ‘He not only looked but sounded much more assured, and a great deal more decisive than he has lately been given credit for.’
  • ‘Like Clifford, he is decisive and very skilled at pushing agendas through.’
  • ‘Kyle Robson, 18, from Peatmoor, is more decisive and thinks the voting age is fine as it is.’
  • ‘It helped a bit, too, that there was a quality, decisive referee to oversee the action.’

  Synonyms

  resolute, firm, strong-minded, strong-willed, determined

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