as in determinative
providing or controlling a final outcome
The fact that she committed a crime is not dispositive of her claim that the police used excessive force in arresting her.
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Recent Examples of dispositive
These digital platforms have led to a new cultural zeitgeist where country of origin and language are no longer dispositive factors in what audiences choose to watch or listen to.
—
Chris Gallagher, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Sep. 2024
These latest results are a bit more ambiguous but hardly dispositive.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 26 July 2024
Those who were waiting on the sidelines for the next game served as a jury, although their verdict wasn’t necessarily dispositive.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 13 June 2024
Even if ethical, should or must the professional adviser permit themselves to be used to carry out dispositive plans that will cause harm?
Not infrequently, parents have disinherited a child out of anger.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Chris Gallagher, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Sep. 2024
These latest results are a bit more ambiguous but hardly dispositive.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 26 July 2024
Those who were waiting on the sidelines for the next game served as a jury, although their verdict wasn’t necessarily dispositive.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 13 June 2024
Even if ethical, should or must the professional adviser permit themselves to be used to carry out dispositive plans that will cause harm?
Not infrequently, parents have disinherited a child out of anger.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispositive
Adjective
-
The Democratic response or lack thereof to Republicans and the Trump agenda will be determinative of voters' enthusiasm to turn out for them in the coming midterm year -- their next big hope to reclaim some power.—
Averi Harper,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2025
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Writing for the majority, Sotomayor said the jury's assessment of Sneed's credibility was determinative.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Then space your determinate tomatoes out by 18 to 24 inches per plant and your indeterminate tomato plants 18 inches apart.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
30 Mar. 2025
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Because of this continual growth, indeterminate tomato plants tend to grow larger than determinate types.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With these women having formidable 400-meter performances, there was no clear sign of who would reign victorious.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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But new research suggests zeroing in on your daily heart rate and step count—and taking an extra second to crunch those numbers—could provide a clearer view into your cardiovascular health.—
Cathy Cassata,
Health,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Nor is there any conclusive evidence on dosing and timing for supplements.—
Sarah Anzlovar, MS,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2025
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Stone, as he's done before without providing conclusive evidence, took aim at the Central Intelligence Agency.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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