What does Decisive mean?

Definitions for Decisive
dɪˈsaɪ sɪvde·ci·sive

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Decisive.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. decisiveadjective

    determining or having the power to determine an outcome

    "cast the decisive vote"; "two factors had a decisive influence"

  2. decisiveadjective

    unmistakable

    "had a decisive lead in the polls"

  3. decisiveadjective

    characterized by decision and firmness

    "an able and decisive young woman"; "we needed decisive leadership"; "she gave him a decisive answer"

  4. critical, decisiveadjective

    forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

    "a critical point in the campaign"; "the critical test"

Wiktionary

  1. decisiveadjective

    Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive.

    A decisive battle is fatal for one side's war chances

  2. decisiveadjective

    Marked by promptness and decision.

    A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive character. -J. Foster.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Decisiveadjective

    Etymology: from decide.

    Such a reflection, though it carries nothing perfectly decisive in it, yet creates a mighty confidence in his breast, and strengthens him much in his opinion. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

    This they are ready to look upon as a determination on their side, and decisive of the controversy between vice and virtue. John Rogers, Sermons.

    For on th’ event,
    Decisive of this bloody day, depends
    The fate of kingdoms. Philips.

ChatGPT

  1. decisive

    Decisive refers to the ability to make decisions quickly, firmly, and clearly, often in a way that settles an argument or controversy. It can also describe something, like evidence or actions, that conclusively determines the outcome of a situation.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Decisiveadjective

    having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive

  2. Decisiveadjective

    marked by promptness and decision

British National Corpus

  1. Adjectives Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'Decisive' in Adjectives Frequency: #895

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce Decisive?

How to say Decisive in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Decisive in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Decisive in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of Decisive in a Sentence

  1. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier:

    We must hope that the Iranians move on decisive points and that we come to a close.

  2. Francois Hollande:

    The decisive agreement for the plant is here and now, france calls upon you to adopt the first universal agreement on climate.

  3. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos:

    We are grateful to President Obama and his government for this new gesture and the support that they have given us in this decisive moment to end the Western Hemisphere's last armed conflict.

  4. General Philip Breedlove:

    Any attempt to violate the sovereignty of one NATO nation will result in the decisive military engagement of all NATO nations.

  5. Sarah Palin:

    I'm not going to pick one right now, but what a nice problem to have if it came down to Cruz and Trump, that's a good problem for voters to have, because we know that, as you say, they are both strong and very decisive and someone who would take the initiative. That is what we need today, and both of those candidates would fit that bill.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Decisive#10000#18032#100000

Translations for Decisive

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"Decisive." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 24 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Decisive>.

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