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
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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
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In light of these myriad factors — several of which are outcome determinative in my view — California is the very last place where a sweepstakes casino operator should want to test the legality of its business model in court.—
Daniel Wallach,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Opt for determinate varieties, which grow 3 to 4 feet tall in a bushy form and produce fruit in four to five weeks.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2025
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An exclusive appointment with a sales associate is required to buy one of the bags, and an extensive purchase history with the brand is usually used as a determinate factor.—
Molly Davis,
The Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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The clear back lets the iPad's design come through, and while the display cover can fold into the same two viewing angles, covering the screen actually puts it to sleep here.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
28 Feb. 2025
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This retrograde encouraged you to make clear and complete requests so agreements kept you and others in clarity.—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For instance, the Zantac litigation was lost due to a lack of conclusive evidence.—
Arnold Sotelo,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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In a new interview with Classic Rock, bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson discussed the band’s conclusive world tour, which coincided with drummer Neil Peart‘s failing health.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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