decisively

[ dih-sahy-siv-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that settles a matter and puts an end to debate or speculation:

   The question, "Do habitable conditions for life exist elsewhere in the galaxy?" has been decisively answered in the affirmative.

2. in a firm and resolute way, without wavering:

   The Executive Office must be able to move quickly and decisively to preserve endangered ecosystems, history, or prehistory on federal land.

3. in a clear or definite way; indisputably:

   She has not only decisively beaten but ended the political career of every candidate who ran against her.

Other Words From

• non·de·ci·sive·ly adverb
• pre·de·ci·sive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of decisively¹

decisive ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Nevada voters decisively passed a similar measure that, in contrast to California’s initiative, used the word “slavery.”

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, Australia decisively rejected a proposal to grant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people constitutional recognition and allow them to establish a body to advise parliament on issues impacting their communities.

From BBC

The allegation is that Braverman altered the time, in order to give the impression that the prime minister had acted more urgently and more decisively.

From BBC

Dealing decisively with that one crucial issue might well have helped in his mission to build unity and in helping stem a decline in the numbers of faithful.

From BBC

But that was before the US Supreme Court ruled in Trump’s favour this summer – and before Trump decisively won re-election.

From BBC

Related Words

• actually
• categorically
• definitely
• doubtless
• exactly
• positively
• precisely
• really
• surely
• truly
• unconditionally
• unquestionably