1
as in chooses
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in determines
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 arranges
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 settles
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 derives
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 decides
Carolyn decides to attend Rory’s wedding.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
This is the kind of error that looks obvious in retrospect and invisible until someone decides to check.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
But if Lucas decides not to run, a roster of Democratic candidates have already filed to challenge Alford.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Trump’s name will appear on bills until a future administration decides to take it off.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 26 Mar. 2026
The multimillion-dollar verdict will grow, Fortune’s Kristin Stoller reports, after the jury decides whether the companies acted with malice or fraud, and consider punitive damages.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
The dispute continues to play out across social media, where the question of what those opening words actually mean has become its own flashpoint, separate from whatever a court eventually decides.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
The ‘kingmaker’ decides the next steps Because neither the left-leaning nor right-leaning blocs won a majority, Løkke Rasmussen is now in the role of kingmaker.
—Kostya Manenkov, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Martinez Lake temperature won’t be deemed a new national March heat record unless the National Centers for Environment Information decides to investigate it.
—Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
This is the kind of error that looks obvious in retrospect and invisible until someone decides to check.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
But if Lucas decides not to run, a roster of Democratic candidates have already filed to challenge Alford.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Trump’s name will appear on bills until a future administration decides to take it off.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 26 Mar. 2026
The multimillion-dollar verdict will grow, Fortune’s Kristin Stoller reports, after the jury decides whether the companies acted with malice or fraud, and consider punitive damages.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
The dispute continues to play out across social media, where the question of what those opening words actually mean has become its own flashpoint, separate from whatever a court eventually decides.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
The ‘kingmaker’ decides the next steps Because neither the left-leaning nor right-leaning blocs won a majority, Løkke Rasmussen is now in the role of kingmaker.
—Kostya Manenkov, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Martinez Lake temperature won’t be deemed a new national March heat record unless the National Centers for Environment Information decides to investigate it.
—Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decides
Verb
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Keep scrolling to see who chooses a more extensive approach to their skin-care regimen, and who prefers a streamlined, less-is-more plan of action.—
Kaleigh Fasanella,
Allure,
31 Mar. 2026
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In a modern Danish farming family, the patriarch Gorm unexpectedly chooses to pass the family farm to his youngest daughter, Astrid, causing a deep rift.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Smith, the Baylor Scott & White spokeswoman, said the hospital determines financial assistance eligibility when a patient applies for it.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
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And when that happens, timing—not just direction—determines the outcome.—
byDoug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This technology arranges pocketed coils in a honeycomb-style hexagonal matrix rather than traditional straight rows, allowing weight to be distributed more evenly across the mattress surface.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
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In Morocco, Alex Wix of Wix Squared frequently arranges Sahara journeys with a private astronomer to interpret the constellations.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And always vacuum up the dust that settles on the floor afterwards.—
Sunshine Flint,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
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Once this bet settles within 30 days, your $365 in bonus bets will be credited automatically.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tucked deeper into nature than its older sibling in Windham, Eastwind Oliverea Valley derives its special sauce from its harmony with its surroundings, complementing rather than taking away from the landscape.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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Formed in Basel, Switzerland, in 1974, Hesperion XXI derives its name from the Classical Greek word for the people of the Italian and Iberian peninsulas.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If San Francisco opts to keep Webb on regular rest, his second start of the season would be on Monday.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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There will also be hard consequences if Trump opts to declare victory and end America’s involvement in a war that could become long and costly.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The final part of Cantorna’s statement could be crucial as a judge considers whether Subu can remain in the United States.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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As Kansas City considers big changes to its rules for developers seeking tax breaks, local affordable housing advocates want officials to pump the brakes and think more about the consequences of such a shift.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And to have a guy like him who understands what the competition looks like on the floor, but is still here to kind of enhance the environment, help celebrate his teammates, give his teammates wisdom.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
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Familiar with the Final Four spotlight, UCLA remains focused inward and understands the importance of turning off the noise from outside their circle, Jaquez said.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decides.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decides. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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