decide

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verb

Definition of DECIDE

1

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration <they decided to go out for pizza after the movie was over>

Synonyms choose, conclude, determine, figure, name, opt, resolve, settle (on or upon)

Related Words decree, rule; cull, elect, handpick, pick, prefer, select, single (out); adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, find, judge, referee, rule (on), umpire; chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, meditate, mull (over), ponder, question, ruminate, study, think (about or over), weigh

Near Antonyms abstain, decline, refuse, reject, turn down; delay, halt, hesitate, stall, temporize; shilly-shally, vacillate, waffle, waver

2

to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute) <the judge decided that the defendant was not liable for damages>

Synonyms adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, decide, determine, referee, rule (on), settle, umpire

Related Words consider, deem, deliberate, hear, ponder, weigh; size up; mediate, moderate, negotiate; prosecute, try; find (for or against); conclude, resolve; redetermine, rejudge

Near Antonyms equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, skirt

3

to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of <we waited for our captors to decide our fate>

Synonyms agree (on), decide, fix, set, settle

Related Words contract, pledge, promise; blueprint, calculate, chart, concert, design, draft, frame, hammer out, intrigue, lay out, maneuver, map (out), plan, program (also programme), schematize, scheme, shape, square away, work out; choose, conclude, determine, figure, opt, resolve; affirm, approve, authorize, clear, confirm, OK (or okay), sanction, warrant; close, complete, end, finalize, finish, round (off or out), wind up, wrap up; bargain, chaffer, deal, dicker, haggle, horse-trade, negotiate

Near Antonyms abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke; differ (over), disagree (with); counter, debate, object, oppose, protest, resist; contest, dispute

4

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute <the huge sum that they were offering decided the matter: we would sell the house>

Synonyms decide, determine, nail, settle

Related Words demonstrate, establish, nail (down), prove, show; affirm, assure, ensure, insure, secure; define, specify, state, stipulate; clarify, clear (up), illuminate; conclude, end, finish

Near Antonyms confuse, muddle, muddy, unsettle

5

to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information <the commanding officer decided that the soldier was indeed telling the truth>

Synonyms conclude, decide, deduce, derive, extrapolate, gather, judge, make out, reason, understand

Related Words assume, suppose; conjecture, guess, speculate, surmise; construe, interpret, read; contemplate, philosophize, rationalize, think; ascertain, dope (out), find out