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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of definitive
Believed to be the definitive end of his career, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 before making a miraculous and unexpected return to the ring nearly nine years later at the 2020 Royal Rumble.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Thompson also laid out the prosecution's timeline -- and for the first time, a definitive order in which the four victims were killed.
—Kayna Whitworth, ABC News, 2 July 2025
There are a handful of possible charter amendments that could be brought forward, but nothing is definitive.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
If preliminary tests show there is a concern, further testing will be done to make a definitive diagnosis.
—Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for definitive
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Thompson also laid out the prosecution's timeline -- and for the first time, a definitive order in which the four victims were killed.
—Kayna Whitworth, ABC News, 2 July 2025
There are a handful of possible charter amendments that could be brought forward, but nothing is definitive.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
If preliminary tests show there is a concern, further testing will be done to make a definitive diagnosis.
—Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for definitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for definitive
Adjective
-
The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
14 July 2025
-
As mild-mannered Clark Kent and his powerful alter ego, who'd regularly save his pals Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, Reeves brought likability, honesty and an authoritative streak to the role that changed his life. 1.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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First, as Paul points out, laboratory tests may not be conclusive or may appear normal, even when the patient is clearly experiencing abnormal symptoms.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Flow Space,
7 July 2025
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Replay seemed to show LeMahieu getting in under Sánchez’s tag, but a lack of conclusive evidence led to the original call being upheld after a review.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Family-friendly Offerings Hotel Marina Riviera doesn’t have any explicit family-minded amenities or offerings at the moment, but the baseline amenities are pretty family-friendly.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
5 July 2025
-
In the push to minimize cigarette smoking, explicit labels were added to cigarettes, pricing increased, aggressive anti-smoking ad campaigns replaced cigarette ad placement, and fewer businesses sold cigarettes.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Although there were many personnel changes in the group with Score being the constant, the classic lineup reunited for the albums Ascension (2018) and String Theory (2021).—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Go classic or try a variety of twists on the standard cheesesteak, including vegan options.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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The second set ultimately went all the way to a tiebreak, and after trading two mini-breaks apiece, the British pair gained a decisive two-point advantage, aided by a Pel double-fault.—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
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The idea that no one was born inherently superior, that status wasn’t tied to birth but to citizenship and shared rights, was a radical break in human history and a decisive rejection of Old World European ideology.—
Jared Nordlund,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
The video is generally crisp, though the limited frame rate (15 fps) is a definite weakness with moving subjects.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
-
The one that doesn’t have a definite endpoint and could yield some interesting negotiations is Wyatt Kaiser’s deal.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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She will be remembered as an exemplary icon of Indian cinema and culture.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 July 2025
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People who knew Foxcroft remembered him as a father, husband and exemplary worker in tributes shared with the outlet.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The fire table, which comes with clear fire glass, a table lid, propane cover, and a protective fabric table cover, burns at a maximum of 57,000 BTU and is made from rust-free aluminum.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 July 2025
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The extent of the driver’s injuries were not immediately clear.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Definitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/definitive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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