decision-maker

noun

de·​ci·​sion-mak·​er di-ˈsi-zhən-ˌmā-kər 

variants or less commonly decision maker

plural decision-makers also decision makers

: someone who is known or primarily responsible for making decisions

a good decision-maker

one of the company's key/top decision makers

However, this does not permit corrections personnel or a warden to automatically assume the role of the patient's medical decision-maker.

—Erik Larsen and Katherine Drabiak

Examples of decision-maker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Major sporting events remain one of the few environments where senior decision-makers, customers and partners can spend meaningful time together. — Nikos Lemanis, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Then, a few weeks later, Israel blew up the ongoing talks by assassinating both Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas representative leading peace talks in Qatar, and Mohammed Deif, a top decision-maker inside Gaza. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Cellphones rendered this particular feature redundant—but to this day, the Polo Lounge still serves lunch to such urgent decision-makers. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

News of the signing immediately drew suspicion from league decision-makers, as such a payday for Trent did not align with the free-agent market, his previous contracts and his production last season. — Eric Nehm, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decision-maker

• policymaker
• automaker
• boilermaker
• cabinetmaker
• coffeemaker
• troublemaker
• undertaker
• blackacre
• caretaker
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker