Use decisive for people, leadership, tone, or action that shows clear choice and confidence. It is usually positive, but it can sound critical if the decision is rushed or ignores others.
Use decisive for people, leadership, tone, or action that shows clear choice and confidence. It is usually positive, but it can sound critical if the decision is rushed or ignores others.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She is a decided manager. | She is a decisive manager. |
| He is very decision in meetings. | He is very decisive in meetings. |
| A decisive person always knows everything. | A decisive person makes choices without unnecessary delay. |
| She made a decisive quickly. | She made a decision quickly. |
Use decisive for votes, evidence, victories, moments, advantages, and rulings that change or settle the result. It is stronger than important because it implies the outcome was determined.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The result was decision for the match. | The result was decisive for the match. |
| The evidence was decisive to prove. | The evidence was decisive proof. |
| A decisive advantage means a small advantage. | A decisive advantage means an advantage strong enough to settle the outcome. |
| The vote was decidable. | The vote was decisive. |
Use it when firmness or outcome-setting power matters. For ordinary importance, important may be enough. For a person who cannot choose, use the opposite indecisive.
Decision person is not the normal phrase. Say decisive person for someone who chooses firmly, and decisive evidence for proof that settles a question.
From French décisif, from Latin roots related to decidere, meaning to cut off or determine. The modern word keeps the idea of cutting through uncertainty and reaching a result.
What does decisive mean?
It means able to decide firmly, or strong enough to settle an outcome or question.
Is decisive positive?
Often yes. It usually suggests confidence and clear action, though it can sound negative if someone acts too quickly.
What is the opposite of decisive?
The main opposite is indecisive. Other opposites include hesitant, uncertain, inconclusive, and unclear.
Can evidence be decisive?
Yes. Decisive evidence is evidence strong enough to settle a question.
What is a decisive person?
A decisive person makes choices firmly and without unnecessary delay.
What is a synonym for decisive?
For a person, synonyms include firm and determined. For a result, synonyms include conclusive and definitive.
How do you use decisive in a sentence?
For example: A decisive vote ended the debate.