DECIDE Synonyms: 184 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'decide' differ from other similar words?

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

Q: When can 'determine' be used instead of 'decide'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'resolve' take the place of 'decide'?

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

Q: When might 'rule' be a better fit than 'decide'?

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

Q: When is 'settle' a more appropriate choice than 'decide'?

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

decide

verb

di-ˈsīd

Definition of decide

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decide differ from other similar words?

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

When can determine be used instead of decide?

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

In what contexts can resolve take the place of decide?

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

When might rule be a better fit than decide?

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

When is settle a more appropriate choice than decide?

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of decide Then Sean moves away and grows up to become a spy who, after wrapping up a mission involving smuggling a nuclear warhead for reasons unknown, decides to pay an impromptu visit to his tweenage buddies. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 Everyone who tunes into events – small or large – knows that the outcome of the match has already been decided. — Bobby Burack , Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 For now, that’s in the hands of general manager Alex Anthopoulos — who must decide on the first of two $17 million club options (or offer an early extension). — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Modern-day courtiers and princes–to say nothing of bureaucrats–should not be the ones deciding what gets made and who gets to see it. — Christopher Koopman, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decide

Verb

Starting with a silhouette and buckle, clients choose among materials including satin, leather, patent and suede, as well as colors and finishes.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The hotel has a total of 59 rooms and suites, residences, villas, and houses for guests to choose from, including a few options in the original farmhouse, or stancija.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

The team was also able to determine the mass of both bodies in ZTF J0440+2325.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The Reaveys spent Callum’s early years performing their own intensive physical and speech therapies with him, determined their son would roll over, crawl, and learn to say his name.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of determine

Verb

The hotel can arrange special things like a in-room Peloton bike or facilitate extra amenities to host a meeting in your suite.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Annals are historical records arranged by year; the clue leverages the entry’s singular form to misdirect us.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

Deadline reported that the studio deliberately released the teaser on the same day Meta settled a child-harm case brought by state attorneys general, and that Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has seen the ad and liked it.

— Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Noise colors are different sound profiles that spread audio energy across frequencies in distinct ways, and some can mask disruptive sounds and help the brain settle into deeper sleep.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

If a degree needs to equip students for life outside of college, then a big part of that is understanding what employers are looking for.

— Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
In addition to developing better medicines or perfumes, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the journal Science.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of understand

Verb

Redway says to opt for a warmer tone and consult with your colorist to find the right shade that will complement your skin tone.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
Kardashian opted for a neutral cream shade of her slingback sandals, which had a slight heel and thin, delicate overlapping straps at the toe.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of opt

Verb

That means nobody is around to judge you for slipping the ABBA album from the stack of records in the lobby onto the nearby turntable before curling up on the black leather banquettes around the fireplace.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The new Type 01—revealed today in New York—will be judged by the same standards, with the arguments already begun and the marque, again, putting its future on the line.

— Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of judge

Verb

The new material is being introduced as part of a collection of 26 pieces aimed at reducing the dependence on conventional synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels such as nylon and polyester.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Until the 1960s, most public-school funding was derived from local sources, leaving poor areas with meager resources.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of derive

Browse Nearby Words

decibels

decide

decided

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decide. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of decide

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes