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 Dill and his family reluctantly decided to euthanize Socks to prevent more suffering. John Blake, CNN Money, 8 June 2025 Sipping sundowners at the glamorous beach clubs that propagate the sandy shores and cliffside hideouts along the French Riviera really shouldn’t take much convincing, but with so many charming seaside cities and villages to explore, deciding where to stay can be a challenge. Monica Mendal, Vogue, 8 June 2025 As mentioned above, there are myriad factors—international transportation bottlenecks, natural disasters and supplier insolvency, among others—that need to be considered simultaneously in real time to decide what’s best for the business. Sadagopan S, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 But given a chance to keep the cash that Biden had sent the State flowing, Trump has decided to throttle it back. Philip Elliott, Time, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for decide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide
Verb
  • There are so many reasons why a player may choose to play in a particular location, for a particular team, for a particular coach that have nothing to do with the tax situation in that market.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 5 June 2025
  • She was chosen as the player most likely to win MVP this season, and the Lynx were named title favorites in a survey of WNBA general managers before the season began.
    Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • There is no update on the containment progress of the fire and its cause has yet to be determined. Source: National Interagency Fire Center This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025
  • Future studies with more participants—measuring the long-term effects of these diets—are needed to determine who benefits the most from each one.
    Simon Spichak, Health, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • The park hosts various stargazing events, and larger groups can arrange hour-long astronomy programs (pending staff availability).
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
  • Fun fact: Cohen arranged the casting contract for his former Goonies costar Ke Huy Quan for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).
    Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • With the Yankees and Red Sox knotted up, the rivals will look to settle their first series of the season on Sunday Night Baseball.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
  • President Donald Trump credited the National Guard on Sunday for settling the protests against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in California.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • These locations offered some refuge from legal risk at a time when the world had yet to understand or accept digital assets.
    Irina Heaver, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • To understand how the deportation dragnet works, TIME joined ICE officers on a pair of morning raids in the New Orleans area.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Denver Nuggets star guard Russell Westbrook has reportedly opted to enter free agency, declining his player option with the Nuggets.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • Interested users can access the feature by opting into the test.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Their performance is judged by a rotating panel of experts and global icons—from women’s football leaders to climate scientists—who bring credibility and visibility to the movement.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • But on review, Sonnett was judged to have fouled Claire Hutton with a two-handed shove in the back, creating space for the header.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Flag football is categorically different, but the rules and play are derived from the game of football.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • The $265,000 grant is derived from the Department of Industrial Relations, which receives state funding.
    Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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