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Synonyms

decision-making

American  
[dih-sizh-uhn-mey-king] / dɪˈsɪʒ ənˌmeɪ kɪŋ /
Or decision making or decisionmaking

noun

  1. 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.

“The conflict in the Middle East was cited as a major source of uncertainty that complicated decision-making around hiring, pricing, and capital investment, with many firms adopting a wait-and-see posture,” the report said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

It may have its biggest effect in those large swaths of decision-making where people most often avoid the investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

"China perceives Spain as relatively friendly, less confrontational toward China than other countries and likely more independent from Washington. This allows for more autonomous decision-making," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

"This is the first step in being able to use someone's genetic make-up to help us improve that decision-making process."

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Paul had developed her organization without support from the national board, and she wasn’t eager to hand over the bank account and her decision-making power.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling