1
as in to choose
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
they decided to go out for pizza after the movie was over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to determine
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
the judge decided that the defendant was not liable for damages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to arrange
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
we waited for our captors to decide our fate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to settle
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
the huge sum that they were offering decided the matter: we would sell the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to understand
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
the commanding officer decided that the soldier was indeed telling the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decide
The Food and Drug Administration was expected to decide in April 2024 whether to ban formaldehyde in hair straightening products, but that decision continues to be delayed.
—
Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 17 May 2025
With Edman expected to rejoin the team Sunday, the Dodgers will have to decide what to do with rookie Hyeseong Kim, who had his third straight multi-hit game and is hitting .452 in Edman’s absence.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
Here are some takeaways from Friday’s deciding game.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims over the democratic and entirely separately governed island, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future.
—Ben Blanchard, USA Today, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for decide
Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 17 May 2025
With Edman expected to rejoin the team Sunday, the Dodgers will have to decide what to do with rookie Hyeseong Kim, who had his third straight multi-hit game and is hitting .452 in Edman’s absence.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
Here are some takeaways from Friday’s deciding game.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims over the democratic and entirely separately governed island, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future.
—Ben Blanchard, USA Today, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for decide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide
Verb
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The fact that the high court chose this case to discuss universal injunctions could mean a majority want to reaffirm their use, said Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
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The pageant continues Sunday at 1 p.m., at which time a new Miss Maine will be chosen to advance to the Miss USA pageant.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
Verb
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The outlet added that a motive has yet to be determined by police.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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Italian investigators have publicly dismissed the findings and have told local reporters that until the vessel can be examined once out of the water, no conclusion into the cause of the sinking can be determined.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Fearing that terrorists or criminals might use such technology to plan attacks, arrange financing or recruit members, the Clinton administration advocated a system called the Clipper Chip, based on a concept of key escrow.—
Richard Forno,
The Conversation,
16 May 2025
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The pair pitched that Death would arrange for the killing of the survivors using familiar objects and scenarios in complex or unexpected ways.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Have all the evidentiary issues been settled? Not entirely.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Now, the case has been settled for $3.5 million after Donald’s mother sought accountability and justice, according to the family’s attorneys.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The realtor also pulled permits to help determine a timeline of events to understand when some of the damage occurred.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
19 May 2025
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To understand what’s at stake amid the NNSA’s workforce woes, USA TODAY interviewed current and former agency officials and reviewed decades of watchdog reports, safety records and other official documents.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Symmetry seekers might opt for a pair of matching tables flanking a sofa.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
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With Rakhmonov unable to compete at UFC 314, the UFC opted to book Muhammad against Della Maddalena in Montreal.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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The team next asked another group of taste testers to judge whether those compounds altered capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin pungency, either on their own or in combination with one another.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
14 May 2025
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But judge Thierry Donard said Depardieu's explanation of events had been unconvincing.—
Juliette Jabkhiro,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Intended for both slim and puffy outerwear, the new material prevents the conglomeration of fibers and pushes the sustainability envelope further as it is entirely crafted from recycled fibers derived from post-consumer PET bottles.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
16 May 2025
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Those terms derive from academic critical theory, with its emphasis on appropriation and indoctrination.—
Armond White,
National Review,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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