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

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

Less than a week after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, the Republican president-elect announced that he plans to appoint Homan as his “border czar,” one of many signs Trump will act swiftly and decisively on his campaign promise to secure the border and clamp down on illegal immigration.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

The current Democratic leadership has decisively failed, and must not be allowed to persuade the party’s voters — whether described as moderate, liberal, progressive or something else — that, gosh darn it, we lost but we sure fought hard, and somehow Elon Musk and the Russians are to blame.

From Salon

A convicted male felon ran against a female former prosecutor and won decisively, running the table even in so-called battleground states, and Republicans also reclaimed the Senate and could well take the House.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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