decide
verb
de·cide di-ˈsīd 
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
Larry WebsterIt is an imprecise science, but one that ultimately may decide the course of this and many seasons to come. Steve Hummer
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
di-ˈsī-dər
noun dē-
plural deciders
Synonyms
- choose
- conclude
- determine
- figure
- name
- opt
- resolve
- settle (on or upon)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Steve Gold, a professor of law at Rutgers who clerked for Dearie after law school, explains that federal judges regularly decide disputes about evidence and questions of privilege. Time, 16 Sep. 2022 And if Microsoft wants to pretend this couch co-op cancellation isn't a big deal, dodge all interview requests on the topic, and eventually decide that Xbox CEO Phil Spencer doesn't need to acknowledge the issue, that's its business prerogative. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022 But the hard truth is that market forces decide who benefits from government subsidies. Tomas J . Philipson, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 Markets plummeted as the report stoked fears that the central bank and Chair Jerome Powell would decide to hike rates more aggressively, inflicting serious economic pain. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 15 Sep. 2022 The director will check the camera angles, and the art department will decide what to do about the furnishings and decorations. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 However, Thursday’s deadline is not a hard one; council members can change their mind and decide to opt out of the raise throughout this year. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 And the situation could significantly complicate matters for an already dysfunctional immigration court system designed to hear migrants’ cases and decide who can stay. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 Snead acknowledged that if the theory is embraced, state lawmakers could decide to pass a law before Election Day that says the legislature is going to set electors rather than the voters. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2022 See More
Time, 16 Sep. 2022 And if Microsoft wants to pretend this couch co-op cancellation isn't a big deal, dodge all interview requests on the topic, and eventually decide that Xbox CEO Phil Spencer doesn't need to acknowledge the issue, that's its business prerogative. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022 But the hard truth is that market forces decide who benefits from government subsidies. Tomas J . Philipson, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 Markets plummeted as the report stoked fears that the central bank and Chair Jerome Powell would decide to hike rates more aggressively, inflicting serious economic pain. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 15 Sep. 2022 The director will check the camera angles, and the art department will decide what to do about the furnishings and decorations. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 However, Thursday’s deadline is not a hard one; council members can change their mind and decide to opt out of the raise throughout this year. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 And the situation could significantly complicate matters for an already dysfunctional immigration court system designed to hear migrants’ cases and decide who can stay. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 Snead acknowledged that if the theory is embraced, state lawmakers could decide to pass a law before Election Day that says the legislature is going to set electors rather than the voters. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de- + caedere to cut
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing decide
Kids Definition
decide
verb
de·cide di-ˈsīd
decided; deciding
1
: to make a judgment on
The judge decided the case.
2
: to bring to an end in a particular way
One vote could decide the election.
3
: to make a choice especially after careful thought
We decided to go.
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
decide
verb
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
- choose
- opt
- determine
- figure
- resolve
- find
- conclude
- pick
- select
- rule
- elect
- prefer
- settle (on or upon)
- name
- decree
- adjudicate
- arbitrate
- ponder
- cull
- contemplate
- adjudge
- consider
- handpick
- judge
- weigh
- debate
- ruminate
- referee
- study
- deliberate
- meditate
- umpire
- question
- entertain
- cogitate
- chew over
- rule (on)
- mull (over)
- single (out)
- think (about or over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- refuse
- reject
- hesitate
- abstain
- decline
- turn down
- delay
- temporize
- halt
- stall
- vacillate
- waver
- waffle
- shilly-shally
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
- determine
- settle
- judge
- consider
- adjudicate
- arbitrate
- adjudge
- resolve
- hear
- prosecute
- weigh
- referee
- conclude
- try
- umpire
- deem
- ponder
- rule (on)
- deliberate
- negotiate
- mediate
- moderate
- redetermine
- size up
- find (for or against)
- rejudge
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- equivocate
- hedge
- skirt
- pussyfoot
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
- arrange
- choose
- plan
- figure
- resolve
- set
- finalize
- design
- settle
- determine
- complete
- fix
- conclude
- finish
- chart
- dispose of
- confirm
- approve
- opt
- calculate
- promise
- agree (on)
- shape
- negotiate
- program
- draft
- pledge
- contract
- maneuver
- deal
- scheme
- close
- authorize
- affirm
- work out
- end
- frame
- sanction
- blueprint
- hammer out
- lay out
- concert
- schematize
- intrigue
- warrant
- okay
- haggle
- bargain
- wrap up
- clear
- programme
- wind up
- map (out)
- square away
- dicker
- OK
- horse-trade
- chaffer
- round (off or out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- call
- rescind
- recall
- revoke
- drop
- oppose
- abort
- resist
- repeal
- differ (over)
- debate
- disagree (with)
- object
- call off
- protest
- counter
- dispute
- contest
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
- determine
- settle
- clinch
- clarify
- define
- prove
- ensure
- establish
- specify
- assure
- nail
- stipulate
- insure
- affirm
- demonstrate
- show
- illuminate
- conclude
- state
- end
- secure
- finish
- nail (down)
- clear (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confuse
- muddy
- unsettle
- muddle
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
- understand
- derive
- think
- conclude
- guess
- reason
- infer
- speculate
- judge
- deduce
- extrapolate
- assume
- suppose
- ascertain
- gather
- read
- surmise
- contemplate
- make out
- interpret
- draw a conclusion
- construe
- rationalize
- philosophize
- conjecture
- find out
- dope (out)
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
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
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