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
Here’s your definitive guide to the best shoes to wear with wide-leg pants—no matter the occasion.
—
Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article Over the last quarter century, David Suchet became the definitive Hercule Poirot, starring as the fussy but perceptive private detective in 70 screen adaptations of Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
The Pulitzer winner and L.A. Times columnist writes a definitive new history of California.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
The agency reported that testing for parasites, bacteria, viruses and more than 250 chemicals, as well as checks for such issues as toxic red tide, turned up nothing definitive.
—Curt Anderson, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for definitive
Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article Over the last quarter century, David Suchet became the definitive Hercule Poirot, starring as the fussy but perceptive private detective in 70 screen adaptations of Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
The Pulitzer winner and L.A. Times columnist writes a definitive new history of California.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
The agency reported that testing for parasites, bacteria, viruses and more than 250 chemicals, as well as checks for such issues as toxic red tide, turned up nothing definitive.
—Curt Anderson, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for definitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for definitive
Adjective
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LLMs don’t use E-E-A-T the same way as search engines, but authoritative sources still shape their responses.—
Nick Brown,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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His timely break into a skating lane and McTavish’s authoritative pass synergized perfectly to turn a rush without numbers into a go-ahead goal, Strome’s ninth.—
Andrew Knoll,
Orange County Register,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For instance, the Zantac litigation was lost due to a lack of conclusive evidence.—
Arnold Sotelo,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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In a new interview with Classic Rock, bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson discussed the band’s conclusive world tour, which coincided with drummer Neil Peart‘s failing health.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Zelenskyy had been pressing the White House for explicit security guarantees, to no avail.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Mar. 2025
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Being explicit and deliberate in communicating timely health advice is critical, particularly during a deadly disease outbreak.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There's Potato Lab, a new Korean rom-com series, The Leopard, an adaptation of the Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa novel that inspired the classic 1963 from Luchino Visconti, Little Siberia, a Finnish disaster comedy, and Nadaaniyan, a quirky Indian romance.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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Why would viewers today bother to search Apple TV+ or Google Play for a classic film like, say, The African Queen, when their Netflix home screens are already beckoning them with original offerings like Kinda Pregnant and La Dolce Villa?—
Benjamin Svetkey,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Organizations that embrace this shift—leveraging freelance platforms as integral extensions of their workforce and using AI as the connective tissue—will gain a decisive edge in innovation, agility, and speed.—
John Winsor,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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Brown assisted on Horford’s decisive layup and blocked two shots in the fourth quarter, helping offset his 0-for-5 shooting over the final 17 minutes.—
Zack Cox,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Focus Features‘ Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu deepsea diver thriller Last Breath off a B+, 4 1/2 stars PostTrak and a 61% definite recommend is only filing $7.3M for the three-day.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2025
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The height adjustment is a definite plus, and the display, overall, is a pleasure to work with.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Similarly, in family matters, valuable advice came from both exemplary parents and those who had experienced great loss.—
Jamie Hopkins,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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The cook is at ease in her kitchen and boasts exemplary knife skills.—
Philip Tinari,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, there was no clear indication whether the list was related to Epstein's case, Maxwell's case, or another investigation.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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Effective boycotts are typically well organized, make clear and specific demands and are focused on one company or issue.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Definitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/definitive. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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