1
as in authoritative
being the most accurate and apparently thorough
the definitive work on the attack on Pearl Harbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in conclusive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning
a definitive answer that put an immediate end to the discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning
the insurance company's definitive statement on the types of surgical operations that are covered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade is often cited as the definitive hard-boiled private detective
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of definitive
Her literary legacy, preserved in archives at Columbia University, offers glimpses into her mind but no definitive answers to her fate.
—
Patti Callahan Henry, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
The truth is, there is nothing definitive or set right now.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
In the past, the artist has used Pat McGrath Labs eyeliner to achieve the wing, but at Chanel, Chanel Beauty’s Cream Eyeliner or Precision Eye Definer will do, creating a look full of definitive minimalism.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 14 Mar. 2025
There's an April 2 deadline for definitive paperwork.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for definitive
Patti Callahan Henry, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
The truth is, there is nothing definitive or set right now.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
In the past, the artist has used Pat McGrath Labs eyeliner to achieve the wing, but at Chanel, Chanel Beauty’s Cream Eyeliner or Precision Eye Definer will do, creating a look full of definitive minimalism.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 14 Mar. 2025
There's an April 2 deadline for definitive paperwork.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for definitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for definitive
Adjective
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Content Creation and Thought Leadership In an attention economy where organic visibility grows increasingly scarce, content strategists who craft compelling, authoritative material have become revenue drivers rather than cost centers.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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While some authoritative voices speak with optimism, others do not share the same tone.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Yet as Gee points out, to date, there are still only suppositions, rather than conclusive evidence about why hominins made the transition to a bipedal lifestyle.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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The agency is quickly becoming a target of Elon Musk, who has claimed without conclusive evidence that there's rampant fraud from improper payments to dead people.—
Emily Peck,
Axios,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some businesses made their Southern roots explicit in their advertising.—
Kendra D. Boyd,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2025
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Rather than passing explicit judgment, the film provides a meditation on human dominance and the ethical dilemmas of our interactions with other species.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Lily Collins, Zoë Kravitz, Sean Ono Lennon and more inspired their musical parents to turn personal lullabies into classic hits Comments The journey into parenthood can be equal parts scary, exciting, anxiety-inducing and emotional.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
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Amazon has a classic version of the neck pillow that simply wraps around your neck and provides a cushion.—
Christopher Murray,
Fox News,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Connor McDavid, who assisted on Draisaitl’s decisive tally, has only 85 points to sit fourth in NHL scoring.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
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But in a manner which belied her age, Andreeva refocused in the decisive set by breaking her Polish opponent twice in the first five games and ran away to clinch her second victory over Świątek in as many tournaments.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Linebacker Nick Bolton, one of the top ILBs potentially available come Monday and a definite target for the Broncos, inked a three-year extension with Kansas City.—
Luca Evans,
The Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2025
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Since the moon isn’t going quite through the center of the earth’s umbra during this eclipse but is closer to the upper edge of the shadow, the totally eclipsed moon will have a definite color gradient.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The total judgment amount includes $11 million for mental anguish sustained in the past, $20 million for the mental anguish that the victim might sustain in the future, and $93 million for exemplary damages, court records show.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2025
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The tables of deaths occupy hundreds of double-page spreads, laid out with exemplary clarity and precision.—
Fintan O'Toole,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The long-term ramifications of these cuts remain to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Department of Education is facing a period of significant upheaval.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Gentry steered clear from the sparkly Miu Miu HotPants that were all the rage last year.—
Rhonda Richford,
WWD,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Definitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/definitive. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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