decide

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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 Its actions could ultimately decide the success or failure of the Paris Agreement. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025 Each defendant had a separate jury to decide his fate in Oakland County Circuit Court. Christina Hall, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025 After discovery, Crenshaw will hold a hearing on the motion and decide whether to toss the criminal case against Abrego Garcia. Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025 Advertisement Many wineries have decided to switch to lighter wine bottles to reduce CO2 emissions and the use of renewable energy is finally becoming commonplace. Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide
Verb
  • Nonetheless, Kishimori chose the United States as his first overseas trip at age 20 and then chose the United States as his first destination after joining the Japanese Foreign Service.
    Carol Cain, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Patrons can choose between six spice levels.
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it has yet to be determined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Experts determined that Gaza City had slid into famine shortly before Israel launched its major offensive there aimed at occupying it.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Get our best clever painting hacks to extend the height of a room, space-saving storage ideas, and tips for arranging bedroom furniture.
    Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In other words, this year, the Eagles’ opponents are more often presenting four deep defenders against their three wide receiver sets instead of deploying a single-high safety and arranging the remaining defenders to play closer to the line of scrimmage.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After just a few minutes on each arm, the soreness had noticeably decreased, and my arms looked more defined and less puffy, especially near the underarm area where water retention tends to settle.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Skipping regular washes—Letting white towels sit too long between washes gives body oils, makeup, and mildew more time to settle into the fibers and stain them permanently.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Laughter from the crowd breaks the tension of what could have been understood as metaphor for Netanyahu’s actions.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Plenty of Nashvillians can probably understand the Maxwell House coffee brand’s recent marketing move.
    Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • He was invited to join Led Zeppelin but declined, opting to pursue a career as a photographer instead.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Instead, opt for deli meats that contain natural nitrates and nitrites and natural additives (such as plant extracts or organic acids like lactate) that can help fight the growth of harmful bacteria.
    Laura Schober, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Bowers if officially listed as questionable with a knee injury for Vegas’ game at Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend, but judging by what happened on Friday, his chances of playing on Sunday look awfully grim.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Contestants were evaluated on more than just their runway presence — they were judged on communication skills, language ability, etiquette and physical fitness.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Most originated in Asia and are derived from Paeonia lactiflora.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Reuters reported that membership in the GenZ 212, which derived its name from Morocco’s area code, has soared in recent days—jumping from 3,000 last week to 130,000 on Thursday.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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