decide

verb

de·cide | \ di-ˈsīd

, dē-\

decided; deciding

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 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

Keep scrolling for more

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 an extensive search seven years ago, Lodge left her home on Case Mountain in Manchester and decided to move to Flanders Woods. — courant.com, "Property of the Week: Flanders Woods," 20 June 2019 After an article in the Houston Press Wednesday reported on allegations that several far-right political groups were also attending, organizers decided not to host the two-day session at his offices, Bunch said. — Jeff Forward, Houston Chronicle, "Latinos for Trump event in The Woodlands shifts after security issues, confusion over attendees," 20 June 2019 Here's a look at what state legislators must decide before June 30, the deadline for a balanced two-year state budget signed by Gov. Mike DeWine. — Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Crunch time for Ohio lawmakers: deals needed on taxes, graduation requirements, more," 20 June 2019 The demonstrators were then left to wait on a court ruling that would decide whether they would be allowed to complete their march. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "NPR Identifies Fourth Attacker in Infamous Civil Rights Murder," 19 June 2019 Armstrong and Aldrin were supposed to get some sleep but instead decided to get on with the moonwalk, which turned out to be in prime time for the U.S. television audience. — The Washington Post, al.com, "How did NASA put men on the moon? One harrowing step at a time," 19 June 2019 Vitantonio is now tasked with decided whether Amiott should face misdemeanor charges in connection with the violent Aug. 12, 2017 arrest of Hubbard, which made national headlines. — Evan Macdonald, cleveland.com, "Special prosecutor probing Euclid officer’s 2017 beating of motorist has history of defending police," 19 June 2019 His corporate bosses had a quick meeting and decided to overrule him. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Tragic history of trying to stop Challenger disaster; Save political cartoonists (6/19/19)," 19 June 2019 Hassan Whiteside will opt into his $27 million for next season by his June 29 deadline and then Hassan, his agent and the Heat can decide where to go from there. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Does Chris Paul’s contract preclude any potential Heat curiosity?," 19 June 2019

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.