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 transactions with foreign capital participation, these questions can become dispositive.
—
Alexandrine Armstrong-Cerfontaine, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
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
The results will be the same in terms of the estate tax and dispositive scheme implications as in the above example, but now, whatever is inherited will face a capital gains tax on sale.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Alexandrine Armstrong-Cerfontaine, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025
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
The results will be the same in terms of the estate tax and dispositive scheme implications as in the above example, but now, whatever is inherited will face a capital gains tax on sale.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispositive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispositive
Adjective
-
Trump’s endorsement was helpful but not determinative.—
Joe Garofoli,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Apr. 2026
-
They’ve rarely been determinative in elections — El Paso County casts around 4% of the Democratic vote — but could matter in a close Senate race and in the Gonzales primary.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Tomato cages are best used for low-maintenance, determinate, and bushy tomatoes, and are overall easier to set up than stakes.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
17 May 2026
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For determinate or semi-determinate tomato plants, which are shorter than indeterminate varieties but produce multiple stems, a cheap, easy-to-find tomato cage will often do the trick, says Farrell.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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However, its clear, three-syllable song, often repeated during the breeding season, is easy to remember.—
Christopher Gangemi,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
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What’s clear in hearing Tuch talk is that the decision isn’t going to be solely about money.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
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This finale was written before the cancellation of Gen V, so a conclusive ending was not written for them, hence the future storylines this will set up.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
No Americans have had a conclusive positive test result.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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