deciding factor

noun

1
: something that causes someone to make a particular decision
The deciding factor was cost.
His lack of experience was the deciding factor in my decision not to hire him.
2
: something that causes something to end a particular way
His home run was the deciding factor in the game.

Examples of deciding factor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Committee approval is now the top deciding factor for tech investment. Janett Haas, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 Another deciding factor was the introduction via a mutual contact to Will Gould and Matthew Read at Moonage Pictures, whose credits include The Gentlemen and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 June 2025 There was a handshake with United’s managerial titan Sir Alex Ferguson, too, but the deciding factor was Wilcox. Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 20 June 2025 According to a report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 30% of homebuyers (aged 33-42) stated that the quality of schools was a deciding factor in home purchases. William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deciding factor

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deciding factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deciding%20factor. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!