DECIDING Synonyms: 236 Similar and Opposite Words

deciding 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈsī-diŋ

Definition of deciding

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deciding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of decide

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in arranging

to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of we waited for our captors to decide our fate

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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

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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

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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 deciding

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 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

Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals may face penalties unless they’re used for qualifying expenses such as education or a first home, so families should review the tax rules before deciding how to use the money. — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026 Coach Jim Harbaugh blamed himself for starting the landslide by deciding to go for it on fourth down from the Chargers’ 41, saying the team should have punted then relied on its defense, which had played well all day. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 This wasn’t just a case of younger guys deciding to show up, or the coaching staff throwing them a bone. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026 Judges could sometimes consider changes to the law when deciding whether to grant compassionate release to inmates who had served at least 10 years. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 Sanabria said the city will need to make difficult decisions when deciding which expenses are absolutely necessary. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 Atlanta’s rotation got upended during its three-game NL wild-card series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, with the Braves using ace Chris Sale in relief in the deciding game. — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 Reviewing it is the first step in deciding whether your plan still fits your needs. — Joy Miller, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026 With spooky season approaching, deciding on everything from our Halloween nails and makeup to costumes and movies is a highlight of the season. — Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deciding

Adjective

Lukas Dostal made 12 saves, stopping just six of 11 shots in the decisive middle period before being replaced to start the third.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Public confidence will play a decisive role in the growth of fusion power.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of decisive

Verb

Recognizing that signal and choosing a response differs from trying to physically release it, Kjærvik explained.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of choosing

Verb

The exact motive behind this particular campaign remains unclear because determining the next step would require engaging with the sender.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The discussion centered on how that tool might become part of a connected filmmaking process, with human direction and VFX expertise still determining how its images fit together.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of determining

Verb

Rossi interpreted the idea of the piazza quite literally, arranging the service’s pieces like structures around a public square.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
In January 2026, the company launched Beyond Borders, an employee network where international staff can help one another navigate the hurdles of settling in, such as finding a doctor, navigating an insurance policy document, or arranging childcare.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of arranging

Verb

Pick three colors, say pink, brown and green, and run a one-week trial of each before settling.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
He was first forced from his home as a child during South Sudan’s struggle for independence, eventually settling in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

— Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of settling

Verb

There is just enough wry humor—think Shaun of the Dead—sprinkled throughout to keep things from getting too grim, often deriving from Bryan’s cluelessness and general lack of skills.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
The Chiefs finished dead last in the NFL with 362 yards deriving from explosive rushes last season.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of deriving

Adjective

Some experiments also indicate improvement in markers of inflammation, though, here, as with many areas, the findings are not conclusive, says Lee.

— Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
The reply from John Thorn, the official historian of Major League Baseball, was far less conclusive.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of conclusive

Verb

Serhant’s decision follows a wave of high-profile figures opting to license their images to AI companies, allowing for new forms of content featuring their likeness while potentially creating a new revenue stream for those who opt in.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Airy styles were trending during the latest edition of Paris Fashion Week, featuring the likes of Zendaya and Jennifer Lawrence, among others, opting for delicate fabrics, designs and soft colorways.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026