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

Strong decision-makers gather input, consider risk and then take responsibility for the direction. —Angela C. Hill, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

The personnel decision-makers know that. —Antonio Morales, New York Times, 28 May 2026

Right now, the organizations added, the brands’ silence is being interpreted by decision-makers as consent. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 26 May 2026

Vahidi’s rise to become one of Iran’s top decision-makers shows that US and Israeli efforts to decapitate the country’s leadership have not produced a more moderate ruling echelon. —Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 23 May 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