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decisive
/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
able to make decisions quickly
She was a decisive leader who never hesitated during crises.
She made firm and prompt choices without delay.
formal
Showing the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively.
The CEO's decisive action saved the company from bankruptcy.
The CEO acted quickly and effectively to prevent bankruptcy.
His decisive speech inspired the team to act immediately.
His clear and prompt speech motivated the team to take action.
Often used to describe people in leadership roles or critical situations.
Law
formal
Conclusive and leading to a clear outcome.
The judge's decisive ruling ended the lengthy legal battle.
The judge's final decision resolved the dispute conclusively.
In legal contexts, refers to a ruling that definitively settles a matter.
Medicine
formal
Having a strong or definite effect.
The treatment had a decisive impact on the patient's recovery.
The treatment produced a clear and significant improvement.
Describes treatments or interventions that produce unambiguous results.
Collocations
decisive actionprompt and effective actiondecisive victoryclear and overwhelming windecisive rolekey part in achieving a result
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Do not pair 'decisive' with 'final' or 'ultimate'—'decisive' already implies conclusiveness (e.g., 'a decisive victory' is sufficient).
Gold Rule
Use for people and outcomes
Apply 'decisive' to people who act quickly (e.g., 'a decisive leader') or outcomes that are clear (e.g., 'a decisive result'). Avoid using it for objects or neutral processes.
Word Origin
From Latin *decisivus*, from *decidere* (to decide), meaning 'to cut off' or 'settle'. The prefix *de-* (down, away) + *caedere* (to cut).
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe people who act promptly or outcomes that are clear-cut. Avoid overusing in casual contexts where 'firm' or 'clear' might suffice.
Word Breakdown
de-
prefix meaning 'down' or 'away'
prefix-cis-
root meaning 'to cut'
root-ive
suffix forming adjectives, meaning 'having the quality of'
suffixEnglish Dictionary