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 infinitivedecided 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 Learn More about decide

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web More than 5,000 staff are due to be paid at the end of June, and bankers would decide before then whether to pull the plug and trigger insolvency, the source added. — NBC News, "Wirecard 'fintech' CEO arrested after regulators find $2 billion missing," 23 June 2020 Each player must look at her cards and decide whether or not the cards on their own are good enough to bet. — Maria Konnikova, Wired, "Poker and the Psychology of Uncertainty," 23 June 2020 Kentucky's primary, delayed a month by the coronavirus, will decide which of three Democrats will challenge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. — Erin Glynn, Cincinnati.com, "The nation is watching Kentucky's primary. Will Kentucky pull it off? Or will there be lines and confusion?," 23 June 2020 The Kentucky Senate primary Tuesday is shaping up to be more competitive than expected in the Democratic race that will decide who takes on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November. — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, "Kentucky Senate primary pits establishment favorite against progressive insurgent," 23 June 2020 The United States and the Iraqi government are currently in the third week of negotiations that will decide the future of U.S. forces in Iraq and how soon the 250,000-strong Iraqi armed forces will be facing ISIS alone. — Abraham Mahshie, Washington Examiner, "US destroys three ISIS camps in Iraq, underscoring continued need for air support," 22 June 2020 Lack of demand for business conventions and meetings is impacting the bottom line as companies decide how to bring people together when travel seems safer in the future. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Hotels in The Woodlands draw leisure travelers upon reopening," 22 June 2020 The NY Post reported Figueroa could also decide to go pro. — oregonlive, "Oregon Ducks men’s basketball lands St. John’s transfer LJ Figueroa," 20 June 2020 The felony murder charge against Rolfe, 27, carries life in prison or the death penalty, if prosecutors decide to seek it. — Kate Brumback, Anchorage Daily News, "Atlanta police call out sick to protest charges in officer’s shooting of black man," 19 June 2020

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.