decide

verb de·cide \ di-ˈsīd , dē- \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: decide in a Sentence

Definition of decide

decided; deciding

transitive verb

1 a : to make a final choice or judgment about

decide what to do

couldn't decide whether to take the job or not

b : to select as a course of action —used with an infinitive

decided to go

c : to infer on the basis of evidence : conclude

They decided that he was right.

2 : to bring to a definitive end

one blow decided the fight

3 : to induce to come to a choice

her pleas decided him to help

intransitive verb

: to make a choice or judgment

decide on where to go

—

decider

noun

See decide defined for English-language learners

See decide defined for kids

Examples of decide in a Sentence

He decided that dinner would be at 7 o'clock, and asked guests to arrive at 6.
She is having difficulty deciding about the offer.
They decided that he was right.
I am trying to decide if it's warm enough for swimming.
“Do you think she is telling the truth?” “I'm not sure. I'm still trying to decide.”
A few hundred votes could decide the election.
One blow decided the fight.
This battle could very well decide the war.
Will the business be successful? Let the public decide.
The case will be decided by the Supreme Court.

Recent Examples of decide from the Web

But when Cochran stepped down this spring, McDaniel decided to run for his seat instead.

— author: maggie astor, Anchorage Daily News, "Eight states have primaries on Tuesday. Here’s what to watch for.," 6 June 2018
After reading the evidence contained in the briefs, current Wyandotte County prosecutor Mark Dupree Sr. decided to drop all charges against McIntyre.

— michael harriot, The Root, "‘Evilest White Woman on Earth’: The Criminal Injustice of Terra Morehead," 6 June 2018
Superintendent of public instruction As the only nonpartisan statewide office in California, this position overseeing state education policy could have been decided last night.

— alexei koseff, sacbee, "Here's what happened in the California primary election while you were sleeping," 6 June 2018
The district later decided to expand the Boise Centre and sold the parcel to Gardner Co. in 2016 for $7.9 million.

— john sowell, idahostatesman, "Panera Bread will open, then Hilton Garden Inn. Entryway to Downtown Boise takes shape," 6 June 2018
The Swiss attorney general has decided not to pursue criminal charges against Novartis in connection with $1.2 million in payments the company made last year to President Trump’s personal attorney for access to the new administration.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Swiss attorney general will not pursue bribery charges against Novartis for payments to Trump lawyer," 6 June 2018
On Tuesday, someone decided to use this maneuver to terrorize the family of Parkland school shooting survivor — and gun control activist — David Hogg.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Prank Caller Sends SWAT Team to Home of Parkland Survivor David Hogg," 5 June 2018
Right now, private schools can decide whether or not to accept students in the state’s voucher programs.

— dan sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Were dinosaurs and humans alive at the same time? (And is that debate a good use of your money?)," 5 June 2018
Illinois State Police continue to investigate the March death of Clements, an investigation that will help the Cook County state’s attorney’s office or a grand jury decide whether criminal charges should be filed against Elgin police Lt.

— gloria casas, Elgin Courier-News, "Months after Decynthia Clements fatally shot by police during standoff, Elgin holds event to talk about case," 3 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of decide

Middle English, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de- + caedere to cut

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

decide Synonyms

Phrases

dispose of;

Synonym Discussion of decide

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve 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

determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

- determined the cause of the problem

settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

- the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

- the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

- he resolved to quit smoking

DECIDE Defined for English Language Learners

decide

verb

Definition of decide for English Language Learners

: to make a choice about (something) : to choose (something) after thinking about it
: to choose whether or not to believe (something) after thinking about it : to reach a conclusion about (something) because of evidence
: to cause (something) to end in a particular way : to determine what the result of (something) will be