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

Trades for big-money players, and lucrative extensions given the past few years have left the Dolphins’ new decision-makers in a financial bind, possessing less than $1 million in cap space after releasing three veteran players last month. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026

The decision-makers tasked with recommending whether to change the name of the Sutter Buttes have kept both proposals on hold as the debate nears its second year. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 1 Mar. 2026

That is the question on the minds of Patriots’ decision-makers. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026

No decision-makers to ask, only the man in the mirror. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 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