Beslissende

Beslissende is a Dutch adjective meaning decisive, crucial, or conclusive, used to describe something that determines an outcome or has decisive influence on it. It is commonly found in political, business, sports, and everyday contexts.

Etymology and form: The word comes from beslissen, to decide, with the suffix -ende forming a present-participle style adjective. When used before a noun, the form beslissende is typical, as in een beslissende factor, een beslissende stap, or de beslissende overwinning. In predicative position, Dutch often uses beslissend, as in Het moment was beslissend.

Usage and nuance: Beslissende conveys a stronger sense of final influence than more general terms like belangrijk (important) or significant. It implies that a particular element tips the balance or finalizes the outcome. The term is flexible across domains, describing moments, factors, steps, or actions that decisively shape results.

Examples:

- De beslissende factor bleek de aanwezigheid van een sterk team. (The decisive factor turned out to be the presence of a strong team.)

- Dit was een beslissende stap in de onderhandelingen. (This was a decisive step in the negotiations.)

- Het moment was beslissend. (The moment was decisive.)

See also: beslissen, beslissing, beslissend, beslissende factor, beslissende overwinning.