decide

1
2
3
4
5

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decide differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decide are determine, resolve, rule, and settle. While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

When can determine be used instead of decide?

Although the words determine and decide have much in common, determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

In what contexts can resolve take the place of decide?

The synonyms resolve and decide are sometimes interchangeable, but resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

When might rule be a better fit than decide?

In some situations, the words rule and decide are roughly equivalent. However, rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

When is settle a more appropriate choice than decide?

While the synonyms settle and decide are close in meaning, settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decide Some legislators are itching to undo what voters decided (in Broward, a higher hourly wage won approval from an astounding 75.2% of voters; in Palm Beach, 68.7% in 2020). Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025 Medical teams will evaluate the crew’s health, as is routine after astronauts return from space, before deciding next steps. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025 The match was all but decided on the second playoff hole, played on the iconic 17th at TPC Sawgrass. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 But New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle took exception to the bill, asserting that prosecutors already consider someone’s history including domestic violence in deciding sentences. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide
Verb
  • The Suns drafted him with the 22nd pick, one of three Arkansas Razorbacks chosen in the first round, joining Todd Day and Lee Mayberry.
    Doug Haller, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), or ConsumerLab.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Clashes reportedly continued overnight into Sunday but CNN was unable to determine the full extent of the unrest.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Here are four simple questions that can determine longevity of your connection.
    Mark Travers, Contributor, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The institute once arranged for a Purim care package to be airdropped to a Jewish Coast Guard member 700 miles off the coast of Alaska, for example.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Every morning, the monks gathered there, arranging themselves on the long stone benches, to discuss the matters of the day.
    Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • He’s settled well on Merseyside, building tight bonds with fellow pros like Darwin Núñez and Alexis Mac Allister, and knows the Kop’s rocking song about his path to Merseyside and goalscoring endeavors.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons… MEDIA MIC DROP – Anti-woke comedian calls out liberals for rehashing a debate country has already settled.
    Fox News, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Getting more people to understand who is homeless, Are and Portway agree, is key to getting better results for people.
    Christie Zizo, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
  • However, some of the following need to be considered to keep therapy ethical for all, regardless of the length of sessions: Clear Scope & Limitations: Clients must understand that micro-therapy is not a substitute for traditional therapy, particularly for deep trauma work.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Amid a global luxury downturn where several shoppers have tightened their purse strings, many designers have opted to prioritize commercial viability.
    Leah Dolan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Moore’s proposal to double the state’s standard deduction would provide a tax break to Marylanders who opt not to itemize their income tax deductions — many of them low- and middle-income.
    Paul Kiefer, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The best way to judge Putin is not in a three hour meeting but 30 years of action.
    CBS News, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Markets will be keen to judge the timing of the next cut and the committee’s views on inflation and the health of the U.S. economy.
    Bill Stone, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Most workers derive their greatest sense of personal accomplishment and job satisfaction from real work.
    Mark Settle, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Come for the deadly mysteries, stay for the familial love triangles, abandonment issues, and fish-out-of-water comedy derived from the identity theft of an identical twin.
    Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on decide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!