deciding factor
noun
1
: something that causes someone to make a particular decision
The deciding factor was cost.
His lack of experience was the deciding factor in my decision not to hire him.
2
: something that causes something to end a particular way
His home run was the deciding factor in the game.
Examples of deciding factor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
McIlroy has come close to winning The Masters on several occasions, and his ability to handle the pressure at key moments could be the deciding factor in his fate at the 2025 edition.
—
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
The winner of Maryland-Texas could become the deciding factor in whether the other gets moved to a higher or lower seed line in March.
—Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
While racing is a sport built on speed, precision, and determination, financial backing is often the deciding factor in a driver’s career.
—Jenn Nelson, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
According to Punchbowl, money will be the deciding factor in whether or not Paxton primaries Cornyn, a Republican stalwart who has been in the Senate for nearly two decades and climbed the chamber’s GOP ranks.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deciding factor
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John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
The winner of Maryland-Texas could become the deciding factor in whether the other gets moved to a higher or lower seed line in March.
—Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
While racing is a sport built on speed, precision, and determination, financial backing is often the deciding factor in a driver’s career.
—Jenn Nelson, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
According to Punchbowl, money will be the deciding factor in whether or not Paxton primaries Cornyn, a Republican stalwart who has been in the Senate for nearly two decades and climbed the chamber’s GOP ranks.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deciding factor
Cite this Entry
“Deciding factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deciding%20factor. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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