Synonyms of decide

decide

verb

di-ˈsīd 

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

• choose
• opt
• determine
• figure
• resolve
• find
• conclude
• pick
• settle (on or upon)
• select
• rule
• elect
• prefer
• name
• decree
• adjudicate
• arbitrate
• contemplate
• consider
• ponder
• adjudge
• weigh
• judge
• think (about or over)
• handpick
• rule (on)
• cull
• debate
• single (out)
• study
• meditate
• entertain
• deliberate
• ruminate
• question
• cogitate
• referee
• mull (over)
• umpire
• chew over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• abstain
• hesitate
• decline
• turn down
• delay
• halt
• temporize
• stall
• vacillate
• waver
• waffle
• shilly-shally

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

• determine
• settle
• judge
• consider
• adjudicate
• arbitrate
• hear
• adjudge
• resolve
• prosecute
• weigh
• rule (on)
• conclude
• try
• referee
• deem
• ponder
• umpire
• negotiate
• mediate
• deliberate
• find (for or against)
• moderate
• redetermine
• size up
• rejudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hedge
• equivocate
• skirt
• pussyfoot

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

• arrange
• choose
• plan
• resolve
• set
• figure
• agree (on)
• settle
• determine
• fix
• design
• conclude
• complete
• finalize
• finish
• dispose of
• confirm
• chart
• approve
• calculate
• promise
• opt
• negotiate
• shape
• scheme
• pledge
• draft
• deal
• authorize
• maneuver
• affirm
• work out
• close
• contract
• program
• blueprint
• concert
• end
• sanction
• lay out
• frame
• OK
• schematize
• hammer out
• warrant
• map (out)
• bargain
• intrigue
• wind up
• square away
• round (off or out)
• haggle
• clear
• wrap up
• horse-trade
• dicker
• chaffer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• call
• recall
• revoke
• rescind
• drop
• repeal
• resist
• oppose
• differ (over)
• disagree (with)
• abort
• object
• call off
• debate
• protest
• counter
• dispute
• contest

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

• determine
• settle
• clarify
• clinch
• define
• prove
• ensure
• establish
• show
• specify
• assure
• insure
• demonstrate
• affirm
• nail
• conclude
• secure
• stipulate
• illuminate
• state
• end
• finish
• nail (down)
• clear (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• muddy
• unsettle
• muddle

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

• understand
• derive
• conclude
• think
• infer
• guess
• deduce
• speculate
• extrapolate
• assume
• judge
• reason
• suppose
• ascertain
• gather
• read
• make out
• draw a conclusion
• interpret
• surmise
• contemplate
• construe
• rationalize
• conjecture
• find out
• philosophize
• dope (out)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decide differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decide are determine, resolve, rule, and settle. While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

When can determine be used instead of decide?

Although the words determine and decide have much in common, determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

In what contexts can resolve take the place of decide?

The synonyms resolve and decide are sometimes interchangeable, but resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

When might rule be a better fit than decide?

In some situations, the words rule and decide are roughly equivalent. However, rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

When is settle a more appropriate choice than decide?

While the synonyms settle and decide are close in meaning, settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decide

Then Sean moves away and grows up to become a spy who, after wrapping up a mission involving smuggling a nuclear warhead for reasons unknown, decides to pay an impromptu visit to his tweenage buddies. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Everyone who tunes into events – small or large – knows that the outcome of the match has already been decided. — Bobby Burack , Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

For now, that’s in the hands of general manager Alex Anthopoulos — who must decide on the first of two $17 million club options (or offer an early extension). — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Modern-day courtiers and princes–to say nothing of bureaucrats–should not be the ones deciding what gets made and who gets to see it. — Christopher Koopman, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026