decide

Definition of decidenext
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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decide After Season 1 displayed her marital struggles with husband Zac, the couple decided to take time apart, and Season 2 followed her journey navigating their separation. Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 19 June 2026 That is just one example of many Christian and conservative athletes have been unfairly punished because of their religious and political beliefs because Major League Baseball and its teams have decided what political and religious beliefs are acceptable. Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 But last week, a Texas judge decided to wave away a pretty clear red flag. Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 Below, two Vogue editors decided to put men’s ballet flats to the test—and give their unfiltered thoughts in the process. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for decide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide
Verb
  • Manhattan matchup The two super PAC networks have largely shied away from producing ads that mention AI and have mostly chosen to avoid competing against each other in the same races.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • The comedian, 38, best known for his role as the acerbic gay best friend Elliott Goss in HBO’s Search Party, chose our meeting place to take advantage of the balmy late-May weather and to say goodbye to the neighborhood.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • The initial reason for the date requirement – which began in the 1940s – was to determine if a ballot that had been received after the election had been sent before the polls closed.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 June 2026
  • Actual salary increases will vary among employees because some of the funding is being used for market adjustments, and employee compensation is also determined by placement on the salary schedule, according to the district.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Angelina Guatemala, 64, counted on federal food stamps after retiring a couple of years ago in Ogden, Kansas, from assorted jobs arranging flowers, decorating cakes in shops, and preparing meals.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • How to Make Homemade Croutons In the Oven Preheat the oven to 450°F and arrange the rack in the middle position.
    Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Saudi Arabia was 10 minutes away from upsetting Uruguay, only to settle for a tie.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • His father embarked on a number of business ventures, including working as a taxi driver, after the family settled in New York City.
    Kelsie Hoffman, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • These reports present your income and spending habits with clean, easy-to-understand visualizations.
    Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Raised in Rio de Janeiro, Burle Marx understood the country’s abundance as both subject and material.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Trump steered away from the baby blue and white colors that Air Force One has sported since the Kennedy administration, opting for an entirely new livery.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • One reliever, Sam Hentges, abstained from wearing the Pride Night cap entirely, opting for the standard Giants cap with a black base and orange logo.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • As patients gain access to more information, providers are being judged on a wider range of factors, from clinical processes to long-term patient support.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • Proving he wasn't flustered, Gay judged length well, left the ball well, and picked his shots, especially against dangerous New Zealand quicks Will O'Rourke and Smith.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Naturally occurring tax revenues derived from economic growth would help obviate the need for Springfield’s seemingly endless quests for novel fees and tax ideas.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
  • This gives the roots a knotty appearance from which its common name is derived.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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