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.
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Recent Examples of dispositive
In a gerrymandered state like Illinois, primary battles for congressional seats typically are more dispositive than the general election in the fall.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
However, and most importantly, no one should be deported or kept in custody without a neutral hearing for a dispositive decision to be reached, with legal counsel being made available to represent them.
—
James P. Gray,
Oc Register,
1 Nov. 2025
Fitzgerald proposed a schedule that includes filing dispositive motions by October 20 and briefs by November 20.
—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
That dispositive plan may have comported with husband’s wishes.
—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
However, and most importantly, no one should be deported or kept in custody without a neutral hearing for a dispositive decision to be reached, with legal counsel being made available to represent them.
—
James P. Gray,
Oc Register,
1 Nov. 2025
Fitzgerald proposed a schedule that includes filing dispositive motions by October 20 and briefs by November 20.
—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
That dispositive plan may have comported with husband’s wishes.
—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispositive
Adjective
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Nothing is ever going to top it except, of course, the thin green coat of algae that Greenwater Solutions—seems nominally determinative, in a bad way—is trying to spritz with nanobubbles.
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For them, flexibility is often valued but not determinative; a return-to-office mandate may be an inconvenience rather than a constraint.
Adjective
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Knowing the difference between determinate or indeterminate tomatoes.
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Compassionate release emerged from the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, a statute better known for eliminating parole and ushering in the modern era of determinate sentencing.
Adjective
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Just how charged the debate has become was clear when the Greens filed a motion of no confidence against the government on Thursday over its heatwave response.
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The Million Dollar Highway is open year-round, but it’s periodically closed to clear rockslides and avalanches.
Adjective
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Although rescuers had not detected conclusive signs of life, the operation continued under the watch of the child’s parents and grandmother.
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The best shot at making a conclusive determination on who raped Sebold would come through DNA analysis of the physical evidence.
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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