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
The deciding factor to buy was the view, Barnett said.
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Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2024
In a game of two less than mediocre defenses, in a game played in snow, that should be the deciding factor.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2024
Having quick, easy access to cooked, nutrient-rich protein can be the deciding factor between a nourishing meal and less healthy takeout.
—Olga Massov, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
There’s real, true emotion and feelings for each other here because of the way that our program functions that in the end is probably a deciding factor.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for deciding factor 
Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2024
In a game of two less than mediocre defenses, in a game played in snow, that should be the deciding factor.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2024
Having quick, easy access to cooked, nutrient-rich protein can be the deciding factor between a nourishing meal and less healthy takeout.
—Olga Massov, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
There’s real, true emotion and feelings for each other here because of the way that our program functions that in the end is probably a deciding factor.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for deciding factor
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deciding factor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Deciding factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deciding%20factor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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