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View synonyms for decide

decide

[ dih-sahyd ]

verb (used with object)

, de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing.
  1. to solve or conclude (a question, controversy, or struggle) by giving victory to one side:

    The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff.

  2. to determine or settle (something in dispute or doubt):

    to decide an argument.

  3. to bring (a person) to a decision; persuade or convince:

    The new evidence decided him.



verb (used without object)

, de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing.
  1. to settle something in dispute or doubt:

    The judge decided in favor of the plaintiff.

  2. to make a judgment or determine a preference; come to a conclusion.

decide

/ dɪˈsaɪd /

verb

  1. may take a clause or an infinitive as object; when intr, sometimes foll by on or about to reach a decision

    decide what you want

    he decided to go

  2. tr to cause (a person) to reach a decision

    the weather decided me against going

  3. tr to determine or settle (a contest or question)

    he decided his future plans

  4. tr to influence decisively the outcome of (a contest or question)

    Borg's stamina decided the match

  5. intr; foll by for or against to pronounce a formal verdict
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • de·cider noun
  • prede·cide verb (used with object) predecided predeciding
  • rede·cide verb redecided redeciding
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Word History and Origins

Origin of decide1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English deciden, from Middle French decider, from Latin dēcīdere, literally, “to cut off,” equivalent to dē- de- + -cīdere (combining form of caedere “to strike, cut down”; -cide ( def ) )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of decide1

C14: from Old French decider, from Latin dēcīdere, literally: to cut off, from caedere to cut
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Example Sentences

A famous example of decoupling occurred after golfer Tiger Woods’s sex scandal, Reed said, with some of his fans deciding they could separate “Tiger Woods the golfer and Tiger Woods the cheating husband.”

He had always been a midfielder, but at the Barcelona academy, coaches decided to try him at forward.

I have zero problem with Cuban initially deciding not to play the anthem at Mavericks games this season.

The Schneider Electric team decided it was time for a change.

It was deciding to step away from the team immediately afterward that was difficult.

Between 25 and 30, you’re trying to decide how much longer before you start growing a beard and calling yourself ‘Daddy.

Where the U.S. once depended on its own forces to determine who was military material, this time the Iraqis will decide.

At that point, the Library of Congress can once again decide to prohibit consumers from unlocking their cell phones.

People always have to perceive the problems before them, including many unexpected nuances, and decide how to handle them.

Washington cannot let others—whether in Pyongyang or Beijing or Moscow, or Tehran—decide what Americans read or watch.

Decide about it, ye that are learned in the ethnographic distinctions of our race—but heaven defend us from the Bourbonnaises!

How dare you decide in this cold-blooded way whether I am to be called—ah—Tosh—or—ah—Porker!

It was probably this opposition that made young Cargill decide that it would be really worth while to defy the legend.

An appeal has been made by them from the House of Commons to you, and it is for the country to decide the question at issue.

He must therefore decide at once either to continue his membership or withdraw.

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When To Use

What are other ways to say decide?

To decide is to settle something in dispute or doubt. How is it different from resolve and determine? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

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decidabledecided