conclusive
adjective
con·clu·sive kən-ˈklü-siv 
-ziv
1
: of, relating to, or being a conclusion
2
: putting an end to debate or question especially by reason of irrefutability
The results were not conclusive.
conclusively adverb
conclusiveness noun
Synonyms
- absolute
- clear
- deciding
- decisive
- definitive
- last
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the archeological discovery was conclusive proof that the Vikings had indeed settled in North America around 1000 A.D. a conclusive argument for allowing the students to put on a play of their own choosing
Recent Examples on the Web Matiwane said officials are still awaiting conclusive results from a laboratory in Cape Town. 
Melissa Noel, Essence, 20 July 2022 Matiwane said officials are still awaiting conclusive results from a laboratory in Cape Town. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 However, there's no conclusive scientific evidence proving or disproving this theory. Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 31 July 2022 Russian officials have provided no conclusive evidence to back up their claims that Ukraine struck the prison. New York Times, 29 July 2022 The committee's task for its next hearing is to continue confronting its toughest obstacle: amassing conclusive evidence of Trump's intent to overturn the 2020 election on January 6. Fred Wertheimer And Norman Eisen, CNN, 15 July 2022 The Data Wrangler and AutoML approach was a less conclusive win. Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, 15 Aug. 2022 Flowers’s novel ended in a less conclusive fashion, answering some questions and raising a lot of others. ELLE, 11 Aug. 2022 In the case of Abbott, too, no conclusive causation has been proven between the Cronobacter found at the Sturgis plant and infants' illness or death. Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 30 July 2022 See More
Melissa Noel, Essence, 20 July 2022 Matiwane said officials are still awaiting conclusive results from a laboratory in Cape Town. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 However, there's no conclusive scientific evidence proving or disproving this theory. Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 31 July 2022 Russian officials have provided no conclusive evidence to back up their claims that Ukraine struck the prison. New York Times, 29 July 2022 The committee's task for its next hearing is to continue confronting its toughest obstacle: amassing conclusive evidence of Trump's intent to overturn the 2020 election on January 6. Fred Wertheimer And Norman Eisen, CNN, 15 July 2022 The Data Wrangler and AutoML approach was a less conclusive win. Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, 15 Aug. 2022 Flowers’s novel ended in a less conclusive fashion, answering some questions and raising a lot of others. ELLE, 11 Aug. 2022 In the case of Abbott, too, no conclusive causation has been proven between the Cronobacter found at the Sturgis plant and infants' illness or death. Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 30 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see conclude
First Known Use
1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
conclusive
adjective
con·clu·sive kən-ˈklü-siv
: decisive sense 1
Police found conclusive evidence.
Legal Definition
conclusive
adjective
con·clu·sive
1
: of, relating to, or being a conclusion
2
: putting an end to debate or question especially by reason of inability to be refuted
conclusive
adjective
1
as in definitive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning the archeological discovery was conclusive proof that the Vikings had indeed settled in North America around 1000 a.d. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- definitive
- decisive
- clear
- last
- determinative
- deciding
- determinate
- definite
- irrefutable
- absolute
- compelling
- convincing
- incontrovertible
- indisputable
- dispositive
- positive
- inarguable
- unanswerable
- incontestable
- unequivocal
- unquestionable
- undeniable
- indubitable
- undebatable
- undisputable
- unambiguous
- undisputed
- persuasive
- cogent
- uncontested
- sure
- unchallenged
- telling
- certain
- hands-down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inconclusive
- unclear
- doubtful
- debatable
- questionable
- problematic
- ambiguous
- problematical
- moot
- indecisive
- disputable
- equivocal
- controversial
- refutable
- disputed
- doubtable
- debated
2
as in convincing
having the power to persuade a conclusive argument for allowing the students to put on a play of their own choosing Synonyms & Similar Words
- convincing
- compelling
- definitive
- strong
- decisive
- valid
- persuasive
- cogent
- effective
- satisfying
- authoritative
- telling
- forceful
- important
- significant
- relevant
- sound
- pertinent
- well-founded
- material
- weighty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inconclusive
- unconvincing
- ineffective
- unfounded
- unpersuasive
- groundless
- shaky
- invalid
- indecisive
- insignificant
- unsound
- unimportant
- irrelevant
- uncompelling
- immaterial
- inconsequential
- feeble
- weak
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of conclusive are decisive, definitive, and determinative. While all these words mean "bringing to an end," conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.
conclusive evidence
The words decisive and conclusive can be used in similar contexts, but decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.
a decisive battle
The meanings of definitive and conclusive largely overlap; however, definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.
the definitive biography
While in some cases nearly identical to conclusive, determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction.
the determinative factor in the court's decision