decide

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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 Before deciding on Davis, CBS tried to hire ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, sources briefed on the discussions said. Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 Lee enjoyed the first multi-homer game of his career, driving in four runs as the Giants (11-4) beat the New York Yankees, 5-4, and won the deciding game of the three-game series. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025 Maryanne decided to drive to an emergency room just in case. Kristina Goetz, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025 Her predecessor decided to retire after several weeks in the role. Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide
Verb
  • There are three temperature settings to choose from, and the cooling option works similarly to an ice roller—offering cooling benefits that soothe swelling, refresh tired eyes, and refine the look of pores.
    Iman Balagam, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • There's a scenario where the Titans choose a non-quarterback in the first round and try to land Milroe in the second or third.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • One immigration judge and the Board of Immigration Appeals agreed, but those decisions were overridden when another immigration judge determined that Abrego García and his family had shown the gang in El Salvador threatened and harassed his family.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Strategic decisions made now, around technology investments, partnerships, and customer education, could determine whether a bank remains competitive in a world increasingly defined by digital currency frameworks. 5.
    Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Oz: On [Richard’s] birthday, Laura arranged for maybe a dozen Civil War reenactors to come galloping onto the set.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But the human author was a sort of conductor: prompting, arranging, intervening.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The team settled on a patient with SD Autism Spectrum disorder who had an ankle sprain but frustrated Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) with his endless questions.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In October, the parties settled the lawsuit for $1.85 million.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In Congress, Trump’s Tariff Pullback Sparks Relief, Frustration, and Suspicion At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt scolded reporters for not understanding the president’s plans.
    Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • At some point 3 to 4 billion years ago, Mars lost its atmosphere for reasons not yet fully understood, and with it, the temperate conditions that allowed liquid water to exist on its surface.
    Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As a solution to unsafe conditions in hospitals, many Black women are opting to have midwives and doulas as part of their birth team.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Instead of opting for the speed of flying, Luna Buttiens decided to take her time, exploring the country from the windows of a train.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, koi competitions—where fish are judged on size, color and symmetry—are becoming major events, drawing enthusiasts from around the world.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Manning said raising physical fitness standards higher without taking occupational differences into account doesn't makes sense – excellent military surgeons in their 50s and 60s should not be judged on the same physical standards as young soldiers, for instance.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Streaming activity fuels almost all of Deep Thoughts’ first week, with 63,000 units deriving from the sector, equaling 85.9 million official on-demand U.S. audio and video streams of the album’s songs.
    Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Xanthan and guar gum are derived from plants and are typically safe, even beneficial, according to some studies.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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