conclusive

conclusive, decisive, determinative, definitive are comparable when they mean having or manifesting qualities that bring something to a finish or end.

Conclusive applies most frequently to an argument, evidence, or reasoning that is irrefutable or so convincing that it compels certainty or certitude and puts an end to question or debate concerning a matter

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there is one very convincing text which so strongly supports the tradition that it seems conclusive— Belloc

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a very persuasive if not a conclusive argument— John Marshall

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Decisive (see also DECIDED) applies to something (as an act, event, influence, or argument) that puts an end to controversy or competition, to vacillation, to uncertainty, or to insecurity; it often comes close in meaning to critical

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the decisive battle of the war had not yet been fought

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my words had been decisive. At least they put an end to the discussion— London

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Determinative applies especially to matters (as decisions, judgments, operative causes, or influences) which put an end to uncertainty, wavering, and fluctuation and serve to give a fixed direction, goal, or character (as to a life, a course, or a movement)

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the determinative influence in shaping his career

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an appeal covering similar merchandise is pending . . . which will be determinative of this issue— U. S. Treasury Decisions

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Definitive, which is often opposed to tentative and, sometimes, to provisional, applies to whatever is put forth as final and as serving to make further questioning, dispute, uncertainty, or experiment needless or as serving to put an end to an unsettled state or condition where temporary measures have been necessary

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the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States are definitive

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a definitive treaty

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a definitive edition of an author's works is one that claims to have said the last word on all textual problems

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not until there is a settled and definitive world order can there be such a thing as a settled and definitive version of human history— Huxley

}

Analogous words: convincing, compelling, telling, cogent (see VALID): *certain, inevitable, necessary

Antonyms: inconclusive

Contrasted words: *doubtful, dubious, questionable, problematic: *theoretical, speculative, academic: *plausible, credible, specious