What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dispositive
Example
The judge issued a dispositive ruling that dismissed the case. [dispositive: adjective]
Example
The evidence presented was dispositive in proving the defendant's guilt. [dispositive: adjective]
decisive
Example
The team's decisive victory secured their spot in the playoffs. [decisive: adjective]
Example
She is a decisive leader who can make tough decisions under pressure. [decisive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decisive is more commonly used than dispositive in everyday language. Decisive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dispositive is less common and is primarily used in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dispositive and decisive?
Dispositive has a more technical and formal connotation than decisive, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
