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.

One of the complications facing final signoff is Iran’s decision-making process, U.S. officials have said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

It cited a senior US official as saying there are still details "to work out," and the "slow and opaque" nature of Iran's decision-making system could delay an agreement by another few days.

From Barron's • May 24, 2026

Videogames, with their virtual worlds and continuous decision-making, were one promising avenue.

From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026

Still, Díaz-Canel himself has indicated an element of "collegiate" decision-making exists among the political-military elite ruling the country.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

I asked to meet with the attorney general or whatever official had final decision-making authority, and he said that he would see what he could do.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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