1
as in to choose
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 to determine
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 to arrange
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 to settle
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 to understand
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 decide
The School Board recently decided to stop covering GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, for employees using them for weight loss.
—
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
When and why did Europeans decide to sweeten it?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Battles have raged since 2007 over whether the Supreme Court decided the original case properly.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
That changed when researchers from Newcastle University and the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna decided to take another look.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decide
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
When and why did Europeans decide to sweeten it?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Battles have raged since 2007 over whether the Supreme Court decided the original case properly.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
That changed when researchers from Newcastle University and the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna decided to take another look.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide
Verb
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Taxpayers are encouraged to file as soon as possible and choose direct deposit to receive refunds more quickly.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
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By testing seasonal changes, different numbers of occupants, and how people behave in offices, the researchers showed that the model can reliably identify more efficient and comfortable configurations, giving designers a much clearer basis for choosing the best energy-saving options.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The committee uses 12 criteria to determine who belongs in the field and where teams should be seeded.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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At the door, formidable bouncers determine your fate.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors claim Sainz Salazar served as a key fentanyl producer for the Chapitos from about 2022 through 2025, helping manufacture millions of pills, arranging drug transactions under armed protection and operating labs that later became central to the group’s fentanyl production.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Mustique also has a small hotel, Cotton House, where 17 guest rooms and suites are arranged between a two-story building and a series of garden cottages.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While OpenAI hasn’t yet settled on a way to implement ads for its blockbuster chatbot, an early screenshot the company showed off during its announcement late last year indicates that free-tier users will likely be painfully aware that the company is trying to sell them something.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
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Encased in inflatable shock absorbers, the sphere bounced across the lunar surface like a beach ball, eventually settling and unfolding four petal-like panels to stabilize itself.—
Ilya Ferapontov,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The collar will help scientists understand the movement patterns and reproductive behavior of the Sierra Nevada red fox, providing key insights to guide conservation efforts.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Those many Americans who still understand that freedom is the magic elixir that drives growth and prosperity are exiting blue states, leaving them to stew in their left-wing, socialist, low-growth and low-opportunity juices.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If humans opt to burn more fossil fuels and increase climate pollution, that number drops to just four.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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The league is about to start renegotiating its media deals—thanks to an opt-out clause in its current $120 billion contracts—and commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly hosted some media execs in his box for the game.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By then, voters will have had years, not months, to judge whether her leadership rests on substance, not just star power.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The news isn’t great, judging by the conclusions of their study recently published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Leather Alternative Made with faux leather that’s derived from cactus fiber, this belt bag is luxury on the go.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
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The first of these is alginate (derived from seaweed), which forms a gel when exposed to liquids (such as blood).—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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