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
-
The absolute minimum spacing for tomato plants is 18 to 24 inches between plants and three feet between rows for determinate tomato varieties.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
23 Apr. 2026
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Smaller bush-type, or determinate, tomatoes can survive without support, but staking can help in the long run.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Only one Republican state has a relatively clear path to gaining seats from the decision in time for the midterms — Florida.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Which oil executives in attendance were not immediately clear.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The research is not conclusive on the use of GLP-1 and Alzheimer’s, but some preliminary data is encouraging.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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Experts as a whole say more research is needed to give a conclusive answer about benefits and risks.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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