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

Deco had previously monitored names such as Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, but none of them fully convinced all of the club’s decision-makers. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

But, practically speaking, none of it is imaginable or executable without digital technologies that are fundamentally black-boxed, inscrutable to individual cops on the beat and institutional decision-makers alike. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

According to the official, the White House conducts thorough reviews of all clemency requests, with the president as the ultimate decision-maker. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

The concept worked, giving decision-makers data to support the larger investment. — Jen Fuller, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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