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
Even if ethical, should or must the professional adviser permit themselves to be used to carry out dispositive plans that will cause harm?
Not infrequently, parents have disinherited a child out of anger.
—
Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
But under California law blood tests were not dispositive, and the case went to trial, where Chaplin was badly outlawyered.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
The Fed should play a large role, but not a dispositive one, given the many stakeholders who should determine national policy.
—J. Christopher Giancarlo, Fortune Crypto, 22 Aug. 2023
Although the court’s distinction between groups of purchasers’ access to information is unlikely to survive appeal as meaningful for Howey test purposes, other purchaser differences might one day be dispositive.
—Peter Fox, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for dispositive 
Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
But under California law blood tests were not dispositive, and the case went to trial, where Chaplin was badly outlawyered.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
The Fed should play a large role, but not a dispositive one, given the many stakeholders who should determine national policy.
—J. Christopher Giancarlo, Fortune Crypto, 22 Aug. 2023
Although the court’s distinction between groups of purchasers’ access to information is unlikely to survive appeal as meaningful for Howey test purposes, other purchaser differences might one day be dispositive.
—Peter Fox, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for dispositive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispositive
Adjective
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Some people argue that the outcome disenfranchises the California residents whose votes should have been determinative.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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Research continually demonstrates that candidate gender is not a primary predictor of vote choice, instead showing consistently party as a more determinative factor.Kelly Dittmar, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Perez was serving a determinate term for assault with a firearm and gang activity, authorities said.Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2024
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Tomato plants are either determinate or indeterminate.Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 May 2024
Adjective
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As research continues, there will develop a clearer understanding of how cannabis interacts with the immune system during viral infections.Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
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Despite the confusion, the footage is a clear reminder that that yes, black bears will eat deer.Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Early voting data from Michigan does not include party affiliation but, according to the University of Florida figures, 55 percent of early voters are women — a sign that is hopeful for Harris but not conclusive.Niall Stanage, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
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Finally, on early Friday morning, the numbers were conclusive: At 8:50 a.m., Decision Desk HQ became the first organization to call the 2020 presidential race for Joe Biden — a full day before major television networks followed suit.Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near dispositive
Cite this Entry
“Dispositive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispositive. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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