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 His fate will be decided by twelve jurors in the coming weeks in the Southern District of New York. Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025 Portland made headlines last week after deciding to part ways with president Inky Son less than three months after she was hired, underlining the risk of short launch timelines for newcomers. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025 The first count the jurors need to decide on, per TMZ, is racketeering conspiracy. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025 Last year, for the very first time, Mónica Martínez López decided to run for office. David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for decide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide
Verb
  • And the God, who is an omnipotent God, in many ways become impotent, because God has given us the gift to choose.
    Scott Simon, NPR, 28 June 2025
  • This investigation can finally create price transparency in Florida, empowering patients to choose the best care at the best prices.
    Cynthia A Fisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children Services is now working to determine where Kumar will be placed and ensure his safety going forward.
    Jovi Dai, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
  • The court will soon set a date for a sentencing hearing that will determine how long Patterson spends in jail.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • In addition to their other tasks, house cleaners will arrange little items like these neatly.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
  • Similar to a puzzle, the goal is for kids to arrange the strings in a way that fits within the board’s pattern.
    Laura Lu, Parents, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Crandall is a sixth-generation rancher, who’s tending to land that was originally settled by his ancestors in the 1850s—but is thinking proactively about technology in 2025.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • It was settled for an undisclosed amount in November 1995.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The class is offered by the Peace and Justice Institute, an Orlando nonprofit that hosts workshops on topics like conflict resolution, understanding trauma, emotional intelligence and parenting.
    Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
  • To better understand the missing middle, Paulsen was part of a research team that examined rock samples from the Polar Rock Depository at The Ohio State University’s Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Because landlords opt into sharing their data, the resulting pricing can resemble a coordinated effort rather than a competitive market, critics argue.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2025
  • And 63% of consumers opt to purchase from brands that align with their personal ethics.
    Gabriele Buffo, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • This can help in judging whether the most recent dividends from these companies are likely to continue.
    Dividend Channel, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • From crispy shrimp to slow-roasted roast beef dripping with gravy, every bite will be judged on flavor, creativity, and authenticity.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • All of these inputs to the model simulations are primarily derived from observational data.
    Ben Santer, Scientific American, 4 July 2025
  • While much of the popularity of the program is derived from its ability to inspire online debate, even the showrunners have noticed an uptick in the nastiness of the commentary.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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