Synonyms

decision-making

American

[dih-sizh-uhn-mey-king] / dɪˈsɪʒ ənˌmeɪ kɪŋ /

Or decision making or decisionmaking

noun

the act or process of making choices or decisions with a group of people, especially in business or politics (often used attributively).

decision-making skills.

Other Word Forms

decision-maker noun

Etymology

Origin of decision-making

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Foreign brands have been "too slow to localise decision-making and product development", said Bill Russo, founder of Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Institutions, shared values, and collective decision-making play a central role in shaping outcomes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

When Reed Hastings co-founded Netflix as a mail-order DVD business in 1997, he wanted to create a work environment that didn’t limit employees with rigid procedures and that pushed everyone to take ownership of decision-making.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

"I wish to highlight especially the role of women, who, though often victims of injustice, are tireless builders of peace. Their voice must be fully recognised in decision-making processes."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Despite the fact that Mr. Muhammad, convalescing, could no longer work the daily long hours he had previously worked in Chicago, he was now more than ever burdened with heavy decision-making and administrative duties.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023