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 When that didn’t work, the founders decided to open up the platform for all sorts of videos. Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Virtue decided to address that issue at the root—pun intended—with its newest shampoo, and its matching Scalp Remedy Conditioner. Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 The courts have issued several orders that the Trump administration has ignored, and the courts must decide what to do about it. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 Rudd agrees and, delighted by the experience, returns the favor for Samberg, who decides to don only a T-shirt for his portrait. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 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
  • The draft order is determined by a team’s performance over a two-year span.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 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
  • Lithos arranges for the dust to be collected at the rock quarries and transported to local farms.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Last week, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision ordering the Trump administration to arrange Abrego Garcia’s return.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For all the chaos and strife of the tariffs in the opening act of his second term, Trump’s U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal, which went into effect in 2020, and his negotiations with China during his first term indicate some ability not just to pick economic fights but to try to settle them.
    Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Lindblad also lost steam, settling for par on every hole after the 11th.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Fox News Digital understands that As Ever, which is supposed to be an extension of Meghan’s past lifestyle blog The Tig, will not be designing clothing.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • And of course, there’s the need to understand and report on any unexpected and game-changing social media post from the White House.
    Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 24 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
  • The actor escaped eviction following the public vote, which opted to evict the controversial conservative politician Michael Fabricant instead.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And in the court of public opinion, Statoil would be judged in the future for destroying them now.
    Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Ultimately, he will be judged on the results of his moves.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • With a nod to Indigenous science, Sweat says principles of holistic and ancient Ayurvedic medicine, which originated in India and is also practiced in many Latin American countries, will be utilized in teaching, including the use of products mainly derived from plants.
    Stephanie Stephens, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The nuanced feedback and emotional resonance derived from physical interaction remain a critical component of the evaluation process.
    Alex Levin, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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