dispositive

adjective

Definition of dispositivenext
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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispositive
  1. determinative
  2. determinate
  3. clear
  4. conclusive
Adjective
  • 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
  • Writing for the majority, Sotomayor said the jury's assessment of Sneed's credibility was determinative.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of determinative
Adjective
  • Because of this continual growth, indeterminate tomato plants tend to grow larger than determinate types.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Indeterminate tomatoes grow larger than determinate types but are commonly pruned to a single main stem.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of determinate
Adjective
  • With the data collected over the years, researchers were able to develop a clearer picture of the sharks’ movements and behavior patterns in the area.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The snap-down closure keeps your phone secure all day while the zippered interior has nine slots for cards, including a clear pocket for your ID.
    — Clint Davis, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of clear
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of conclusive

Browse Nearby Words

dispositions
dispositive
dispossess
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Cite this Entry

“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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