conclusive

[ kuhn-kloo-siv ]

adjective

1. serving to settle or decide a question; decisive; convincing:

   conclusive evidence.

   Synonyms: definitive

2. tending to terminate; closing.

conclusive

/ kənˈkluːsɪv /

adjective

1. putting an end to doubt; decisive; final
2. approaching or involving an end or conclusion

Derived Forms

• conˈclusiveness, noun
• conˈclusively, adverb

Other Words From

• con·clusive·ly adverb
• con·clusive·ness noun
• noncon·clusive adjective
• noncon·clusive·ly adverb
• noncon·clusive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conclusive¹

1580–90; < Late Latin conclūsīvus, equivalent to Latin conclūs ( us ) (past participle of conclūdere to conclude; conclusion ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Genetic testing can give clues about the causes of congenital abnormalities, but the hospital does not have the facilities, and results are often not conclusive.

From BBC

As late as November 1983, the government insisted there was no "conclusive proof" that HIV could be transmitted in blood, a line robustly defended by former health minister Ken Clarke when he appeared before the inquiry.

From BBC

Where medical experts find mountains of studies and years of data to be conclusive, Kennedy goes zooming against the grain, for little apparent reason.

From Slate

How long this final chapter will take, whether it will yield anything like a conclusive verdict on the Trump era and whether it really is the last chapter — or just another twist to the ludicrously convoluted plot — remain to be seen.

From Salon

Finally, on early Friday morning, the numbers were conclusive: At 8:50 a.m.,

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compelling
• convincing
• decisive
• indisputable
• irrefutable
• irrevocable
• precise
• unambiguous
• undeniable
• unmistakable