2 meanings
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1 —as in:
a decisive defeat
Definition
determining an outcome; or ending question; or describing something as unmistakable- She cast the decisive vote.
decisive = determining an outcome
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- She has a decisive lead in the polls.
- In the end, it is character that is the decisive factor in a person's life.
- Tonight they play the decisive game seven of the series.
- She took decisive action to turn her life around.
- Two factors had a decisive influence.
- Like many other crucially important technologies, hay emerged anonymously during the so-called Dark Ages. According to the Hay Theory of History, the invention of hay was the decisive event which moved the center of gravity of urban civilization from the Mediterranean basin to Northern and Western Europe. The Roman Empire did not need hay because in a Mediterranean climate the grass grows well enough in winter for animals to graze.Freeman Dyson -- Infinite in All Directions
- This was enough to determine Sir Thomas; and a decisive "then so it shall be" closed that stage of the business;Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- Brinker for example had begun a long, decisive sequence of withdrawals from school activity ever since the morning I deserted his enlistment plan.John Knowles -- A Separate Peace
- "Just the same, we got to get you home again, Winnie," said Tuck, standing up decisively.Natalie Babbitt -- Tuck Everlasting
decisive = unmistakable
decisive = determining an outcome
decisive = determining an outcome
decisive = determining an outcome
decisive = determining an outcome
decisive = ending discussion of other ideas
decisive = determining an outcome
decisively = in a way that ends any question about something
2 —as in:
a decisive decision maker
Definition
making quick decisions and sticking by them- She is a decisive leader.
decisive = makes quick decisions and sticks by them
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- We need a decisive leader who can act quickly without losing time in consultation.
- I established with myself on these occasions, the reputation of a first-rate man of business - prompt, decisive, energetic, clear, cool-headed.Charles Dickens -- Great Expectations
- This is a moment for him to show his decisiveness, and allowing the Selection to drag on doesn't look good.Kiera Cass -- The Selection
- His tone grew decisive.John Steinbeck -- Of Mice and Men
- It was actually quite fortunate that they saw Frau Holtzapfel coming from the living room window, for her knuckles on the door were hard and decisive.Markus Zusak -- The Book Thief
decisive = able to make quick decisions
decisiveness = the quality of making quick decisions and sticking by them
(Editor's note: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.)
decisive = indicating a firm decision
decisive = firm
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