decide

verb

de·​cide di-ˈsīd How to pronounce decide (audio)
dē-
decided; deciding; decides

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 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
decider noun
plural deciders
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 After working nonstop on TV sets for almost all of 2022, unit production manager Matt Baker decided to take the rest of the year off. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The Supreme Court urged the 5th Circuit to decide quickly whether the law would remain in effect while litigation continues. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2024 Nonetheless, Katherine has decided to appeal this court’s ruling. Bill Donahue, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024 In 2022, allies decided to seize more than $300 billion in Russian central bank assets held outside the country, including more than $200 billion in the European Union. Beatriz Ríos, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Key matchups The closest match was decided by only three votes. The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024 In Israel, a left-wing coalition with Arab and Jewish members decided to join Zionist parties of the left and the center in endorsing the centrist Benny Gantz for prime minister, with a goal of ousting Benjamin Netanyahu, seen by the group as a menace to Israel’s democracy. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 And experts said the president doesn't have the authority to decide who can vote. USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 But now the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has decided to hear the case, after the United States Supreme Court temporarily allowed the Texas law to go into effect. Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deciden, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French decider, borrowed from Latin dēcīdere "to cut off, cut out, mark by cutting, settle, choose as a course of action," from dē- de- + caedere "to strike, beat, kill, fell (trees, etc.), cut off or through" — more at concise

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of decide was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near decide

Cite this Entry

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decide. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decide

verb
de·​cide di-ˈsīd How to pronounce decide (audio)
decided; deciding
1
: to give a judgment on
decided the case in favor of the person accused
2
: to bring to a final end
one blow decided the fight
3
: to cause to come to a choice or judgment
their appeals decided me to give generously
4
: to make a choice or judgment
decided to go
decidable adjective
decider noun

Legal Definition

decide

verb
de·​cide
decided; deciding

transitive verb

: to determine (as a case or issue) by making a decision (as a final judgment) : adjudicate sense 1 compare find, hold

intransitive verb

: to make a decision

More from Merriam-Webster on decide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!