decide

verb

de·​cide di-ˈsīd How to pronounce decide (audio)
dē-
decided; deciding; decides

transitive verb

1
a
: to make a final choice or judgment about
decide what to do
couldn't decide whether to take the job or not
b
: to select as a course of action
used with an infinitive
decided to go
c
: to infer on the basis of evidence : conclude
They decided that he was right.
2
: to fix the course or outcome of (something)
The Dodge teeters on the rear wheels, hanging there, as the hand of gravity decides my fate.Larry Webster
It is an imprecise science, but one that ultimately may decide the course of this and many seasons to come.Steve Hummer
especially : to bring to a definitive end
one blow decided the fight
3
: to induce to come to a choice
her pleas decided him to help

intransitive verb

: to make a choice or judgment
decide on where to go
decider noun
plural deciders
Choose the Right Synonym for decide

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve 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

determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

Examples of decide in a Sentence

He decided that dinner would be at 7 o'clock, and asked guests to arrive at 6. She is having difficulty deciding about the offer. They decided that he was right. I am trying to decide if it's warm enough for swimming. “Do you think she is telling the truth?” “I'm not sure. I'm still trying to decide.” A few hundred votes could decide the election. One blow decided the fight. This battle could very well decide the war. Will the business be successful? Let the public decide. The case will be decided by the Supreme Court.
Recent Examples on the Web When deciding whether make Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, Searchlight Pictures and parent company Disney believed the movie would be able to earn north of $100 at the global box office. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 But Ghasemi decided to leave the country with his wife, who is Jewish, when the 1979 Islamic Revolution began and the subsequent exodus of Iranian Jews followed. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 The women, who were not related to Layman but lived at his house, found the man dead inside his home on Monday but decided not to call 911 and instead attempted to take the money from his bank account. Landon Mion, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 Regardless, Gloria was on the hot seat, which is not the place to be when voters are deciding whether to give you a second term. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 The girl who managed to alert her parents later in the night had decided not to finish her drink after taking a sip and complaining about the taste. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 The GOP lawmakers argue only the courts can decide whether to disregard a county's votes — a requirement that would limit Fontes' power. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 Denver’s salary cap picture overall is in flux depending on how the club decides to split up Russell Wilson’s $85 million in dead cap charges over 2024 and 2025, but the Patrick extension was just the start of their work Friday. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Irish voters will decide March 8 – International Women’s Day – whether to change the 87-year-old document to remove passages the government says are outdated and sexist. Michael Kealy and Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deciden, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French decider, borrowed from Latin dēcīdere "to cut off, cut out, mark by cutting, settle, choose as a course of action," from dē- de- + caedere "to strike, beat, kill, fell (trees, etc.), cut off or through" — more at concise

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of decide was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near decide

Cite this Entry

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decide

verb
de·​cide di-ˈsīd How to pronounce decide (audio)
decided; deciding
1
: to give a judgment on
decided the case in favor of the person accused
2
: to bring to a final end
one blow decided the fight
3
: to cause to come to a choice or judgment
their appeals decided me to give generously
4
: to make a choice or judgment
decided to go
decidable adjective
decider noun

Legal Definition

decide

verb
de·​cide
decided; deciding

transitive verb

: to determine (as a case or issue) by making a decision (as a final judgment) : adjudicate sense 1 compare find, hold

intransitive verb

: to make a decision

More from Merriam-Webster on decide

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