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
Should Thomas’ identification as a female be the deciding factor in determining her gender?
—
Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Clearly, one deciding factor in choosing Auburn over Duke was the Tigers' schedule, which was second toughest in the country, largely on the strength of playing a conference that put so many teams in the field.
—CBS News, 16 Mar. 2025
The effort and expense of maintaining a network of miles of tunnels in the ice cap was a deciding factor in the decision to shut down Camp Century in 1967.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Farah said his neighbor considered rebuilding, but the cost of using fireproof materials, like concrete and steel, was the deciding factor.
—Iris Kim, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deciding factor
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Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Clearly, one deciding factor in choosing Auburn over Duke was the Tigers' schedule, which was second toughest in the country, largely on the strength of playing a conference that put so many teams in the field.
—CBS News, 16 Mar. 2025
The effort and expense of maintaining a network of miles of tunnels in the ice cap was a deciding factor in the decision to shut down Camp Century in 1967.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Farah said his neighbor considered rebuilding, but the cost of using fireproof materials, like concrete and steel, was the deciding factor.
—Iris Kim, NBC news, 23 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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