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decisive

/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

If you make decisions quickly, you are someone who is decisive. A decisive event can settle something, like a war.

People who are wishy-washy are the opposite of decisive: being decisive means you don't waffle or take forever to make up your mind, and then you stick by what you decided. People admire politicians, coaches, and friends who are decisive. In sports, if a home run won the game, that was the decisive run. When you reach a crisis point in life — when things are going to change one way or the other — you've reached a decisive moment.

Definitions of decisive
  1. adjective
    characterized by decision and firmness
    “an able and decisive young woman”
    “we needed decisive leadership”
    “she gave him a decisive answer”
    Synonyms:
    resolute, unhesitating
    characterized by quickness and firmness
    resolute
    firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination
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    Antonyms:
    indecisive
    characterized by lack of decision and firmness
    on the fence, undecided
    characterized by indecision
    hesitant, hesitating
    lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
    suspensive
    undecided or characterized by indecisiveness
    irresolute
    uncertain how to act or proceed
    show more antonyms...
  2. adjective
    determining or having the power to determine an outcome
    “cast the decisive vote”
    “two factors had a decisive influence”
    Synonyms:
    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
    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
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    indecisive
    not definitely settling something
    inconclusive
    not conclusive; not putting an end to doubt or question
    irresolute
    uncertain how to act or proceed
    show more antonyms...
  3. adjective
    forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis
    synonyms: critical
    crucial, important
    of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis
  4. adjective
    unmistakable
    “had a decisive lead in the polls”
    Synonyms:
    definite
    precise; explicit and clearly defined
Pronunciation
US

/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

UK

/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘decisive'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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