decide

verb

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de·cide | \ di-ˈsīd

, dē- \

decided; deciding; decides

Definition of decide

transitive verb

1a : 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 fix the course or outcome of (something) The Dodge teeters on the rear wheels, hanging there, as the hand of gravity decides my fate.— Larry Webster It is an imprecise science, but one that ultimately may decide the course of this and many seasons to come.— Steve Hummer especially : 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

Other Words from decide Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing decide Learn More About decide

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Each side was given 20 minutes to make their case, and the justices will decide later. — Ben Brasch, ajc, 19 May 2022 The race is one of a handful across the country that will likely decide if Republicans win back the Senate majority in November’s midterm elections. — Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 18 May 2022 This week will decide the season’s ultimate winner. — cleveland, 18 May 2022 The industry filed the petition with Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who was nominated to the court by Republican President George W. Bush, and will decide whether to refer the application to the full court. — Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 18 May 2022 The draft lottery today will decide who gets the number one overall pick in this summer's NBA draft. — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Georgia Republicans will soon decide whether that’s enough for them. — Stephanie Lorenzo, ABC News, 17 May 2022 Soon Democrats will decide a series of primary contests — in Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and elsewhere — that will gauge not just the strength of the political left but also what little remains of the vanishing center in Congress. — Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 Voters will decide the general election nominees for both parties on Tuesday. — Marc Levy And Steve Peoples, Anchorage Daily News, 15 May 2022 See More

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.