What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decisively
Example
She decisively ended the argument by presenting her evidence. [decisively: adverb]
Example
The team won the game decisively, with a score of 5-0. [decisively: adverb]
definitively
Example
The DNA test definitively proved his innocence. [definitively: adverb]
Example
The report definitively concluded that the project was a success. [definitively: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decisively is more commonly used than definitively in everyday language, especially in the context of describing actions or decisions. Definitively is more often used in formal or technical writing to describe a conclusive answer or conclusion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between decisively and definitively?
Definitively is generally considered more formal than decisively, due to its use in technical or academic contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal settings depending on the context.
