as in decisive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning
the project's prohibitive cost was the deciding factor in its cancellation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in choosing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in determining
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 arranging
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 settling
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 deriving
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 deciding
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
The bullpen gave up the lead on the first pitch, and then three more in the deciding 10th inning.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.
—Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
As a result of the split, Sheboygan city residents play no deciding role in either of the two districts, which both lean heavily Republican.
—Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024
Several people said the job fell to Tillis to convince enough Republican colleagues to vote in favor of the bill so no one person had to be the final deciding vote.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2022
Playoff baseball is never easy. Shelby County knows that all too well following a highly-competitive deciding game against a fresh-faced St. Paul’s squad with rally blood pumping through its veins.
—Evan Dudley, al, 23 Apr. 2022
The jurors in the Rittenhouse trial were overwhelmingly White not only in the original pool of 179 prospects but also in the final deciding panel of 12, where there was only one person of color.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN, 23 Nov. 2021
Houck would be an obvious candidate to start again if the Sox are able to push this series to a fifth and deciding game.
—BostonGlobe.com, 9 Oct. 2021
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Prior to that game-deciding drive, Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ offense needed to respond to the Eagles’ field goal that made the score read 19-17 on the Jumbotron at Lincoln Financial Field in favor of the home team.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which determined each year's nominees until they were deposed as the deciding committee in 2022 in the wake of a scandal, revised its rules around animation in 2014.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The video’s viral breakout was jarring enough that Nurse John deleted TikTok for six months, before deciding to return and really give posting on social more regularly a go.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
In fact, when deciding on a slab of salmon or a plump whole branzino, many of our senses should come into play—including common sense!
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Quarterback Demond Williams changing his mind about entering the portal and deciding to stay with the Washington Huskies.
—Alex Valdes, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft grounded pending further inspection, following UPS and FedEx each deciding to ground the planes that make up part of their cargo fleet.
—NPR, 9 Nov. 2025
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will take part in a showdown this Sunday at Levi's Stadium that could possibly end up deciding who finishes first in the NFC West.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Instead, the person must show race was the crucial and deciding factor.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
The bullpen gave up the lead on the first pitch, and then three more in the deciding 10th inning.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.
—Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
As a result of the split, Sheboygan city residents play no deciding role in either of the two districts, which both lean heavily Republican.
—Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024
Several people said the job fell to Tillis to convince enough Republican colleagues to vote in favor of the bill so no one person had to be the final deciding vote.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2022
Playoff baseball is never easy. Shelby County knows that all too well following a highly-competitive deciding game against a fresh-faced St. Paul’s squad with rally blood pumping through its veins.
—Evan Dudley, al, 23 Apr. 2022
The jurors in the Rittenhouse trial were overwhelmingly White not only in the original pool of 179 prospects but also in the final deciding panel of 12, where there was only one person of color.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN, 23 Nov. 2021
Houck would be an obvious candidate to start again if the Sox are able to push this series to a fifth and deciding game.
—BostonGlobe.com, 9 Oct. 2021
Verb
As the 2026 midterms approach, affordability will again be the deciding issue among voters.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Prior to that game-deciding drive, Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ offense needed to respond to the Eagles’ field goal that made the score read 19-17 on the Jumbotron at Lincoln Financial Field in favor of the home team.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which determined each year's nominees until they were deposed as the deciding committee in 2022 in the wake of a scandal, revised its rules around animation in 2014.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The video’s viral breakout was jarring enough that Nurse John deleted TikTok for six months, before deciding to return and really give posting on social more regularly a go.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
In fact, when deciding on a slab of salmon or a plump whole branzino, many of our senses should come into play—including common sense!
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Quarterback Demond Williams changing his mind about entering the portal and deciding to stay with the Washington Huskies.
—Alex Valdes, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft grounded pending further inspection, following UPS and FedEx each deciding to ground the planes that make up part of their cargo fleet.
—NPR, 9 Nov. 2025
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will take part in a showdown this Sunday at Levi's Stadium that could possibly end up deciding who finishes first in the NFC West.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deciding
Adjective
-
The decisive opportunity—and the most formidable challenge—resides within the Gordian knot of healthcare operations.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Critics label her authoritarian, while trustees praise her decisive leadership.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, the question of whether the US could again use force – or tactics like tariffs or sanctions – to strong-arm countries into choosing Washington’s interests over ties with China is a viable risk being evaluated in the region’s capitals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The dramatic cover continues to guide the drama of the party, from Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) choosing Benedict as her bachelor of the season to Eloise (Claudia Jessie) discovering her sister Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) had snuck in to the ball.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Across industries, the topic of change management, not technology, determining who wins was widely discussed.—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Speaking at a press conference at DOJ headquarters in Washington, Blanche said that more than 500 DOJ lawyers and other personnel had spent the past 75 days reviewing potential material related to Epstein and determining what needed to be released under the law.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At 99, Mel Brooks does not speak like a man arranging his legacy.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Decorating Your Flight While these compound butter ideas are mouthwatering on their own, arranging the tray is all part of the fun of a butter flight.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By comparison, a dry arctic cold front moved across Central Texas late in the week, and frigid air is now settling into the region.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the world's highest court for settling disputes related to international athletics, will hear an appeal by American skeleton athlete Katie Uhlaender for a spot in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Large language models represent the first technology capable of analyzing, contextualizing and deriving insights from this avalanche of information.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Resolve this by walking your own path (literally) and deriving support from people who are capable of caring about you.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
No conclusive plan has been formed to either engage in talks with another professional sports team or repurpose the current site of Arrowhead Stadium – though Lucas and LeVota, respectively, said the city and county could explore both in the next five years.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
23 Dec. 2025
-
While there is no conclusive evidence indicating a best time to drink aloe vera gel for digestive health, consuming it at specific times may support different health goals.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of opting for skintight jeans, 2026 can be the year of straight-leg denim that still flatters a wide range of body types but with a little more forgiveness.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Like blue, designers say the key to incorporating green countertops in your space is to use the color sparingly, opting for subtle incorporations.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deciding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deciding. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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