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decisiveness

decisiveness

5 3.2
The ability to choose quickly and confidently
  • noun
  • /dɪˈsaɪsɪvnəs/
translation icon : decisión
  • Her decisiveness during the meeting impressed everyone and helped to resolve the issue quickly.
  • speed and decisiveness

A great, lucid decisiveness about my fate surged up inside me.

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Examples

  • With typical speed and decisiveness, Napoleon tears up the plan to join Moreau at Innsbruck and orders a pursuit.

  • Capable of split-second decisiveness, yet possessing a balanced serenity, and also a folksy touch if need be.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • We must act now with decisiveness and purpose.

    Academic text (2005)
  • "I am more certain!" Charles said with a decisiveness that surprised me.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "I cannot tell you how much I admire your decisiveness," he said.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Above all, they learned that fence-sitting can be more damaging than decisiveness.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Her decisiveness and self-assurance are the traits he'd say attracted him to her.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • With a quick decisiveness, he moved closer to the bed, bent to examine the rumpled, blood-stained sheet.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Your handwriting is gentle and dignified, but lacks decisiveness and sharpness.

  • Your acuity, curiosity about the world, decisiveness, and risk-taking—unceasing over a lifetime—give me both pause and inspiration.

    Academic text (2003)

Synonyms

decision
vsdecisiveness
569 1.0

A quality of being firm and determined when choosing or acting

is the same idea but stresses quick confident choice and action
determination
vsdecisiveness
55 3.3

Deciding firmly what to do

emphasizes ongoing ability to make quick confident choices instead of a single act
acumen
vsdecisiveness
17 7.9

Skill at making good, quick decisions in a specific area

stresses quick confident choice and firm character rather than domain skill
firmness
vsdecisiveness
5 3.5

Being steady and determined in words and actions

highlights ability to choose quickly rather than long lasting steadiness
decidedness
vsdecisiveness
6.5

Being clear and firm when you choose what to do

focuses more on quick confident action rather than just clarity

Antonyms

110 2.8

A short pause before you speak or act because you feel unsure

Not being able to decide quickly or confidently

How Decisive

determination
142 3.0
decisiveness
5 3.2
hesitation
110 2.8

Surface Forms

decisiveness singular

Morphology

decisiveness = decisive (transparent) = decis + ive + ness

Standard noun formation from the adjective 'decisive' using the productive suffix '-ness' to indicate the quality or state.

Etymology

Decisiveness comes from the same root as decide, made of Latin parts de- and caedere meaning 'off' and 'to cut'. So think of it as 'cutting off' other choices — that's why decisiveness is the quality of making a clear choice quickly and confidently.