decided; deciding; decides
1
2
: to fix the course or outcome of (something)
The Dodge teeters on the rear wheels, hanging there, as the hand of gravity decides my fate.—
Larry Webster
Larry WebsterIt is an imprecise science, but one that ultimately may decide the course of this and many seasons to come.—Steve Hummer
Steve Hummer3
: to induce to come to a choice
her pleas decided him to help
: to make a choice or judgment
decide on where to go
Synonyms
Examples of decide in a Sentence
He decided that dinner would be at 7 o'clock, and asked guests to arrive at 6.
She is having difficulty deciding about the offer.
They decided that he was right.
I am trying to decide if it's warm enough for swimming.
“Do you think she is telling the truth?” “I'm not sure. I'm still trying to decide.”
A few hundred votes could decide the election.
One blow decided the fight.
This battle could very well decide the war.
Will the business be successful? Let the public decide.
The case will be decided by the Supreme Court.
Recent Examples on the Web
In its final vote Friday, the board decided in an 8-7 vote to approve the curriculum.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
The following month, a grand jury indicted Smollett for making false reports after Webb said his office had finished its investigative steps regarding the case and had decided to prosecute him further.
—Megan Thomas, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
The Homeless Strategy Office generally decides to activate a cold weather shelter in the morning based on whether temperatures at Camp Mabry are forecast by the National Weather Service to be 32 degrees or colder, or 35 degrees and below with precipitation or a wind chill of 32 degrees or below.
—Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Edward Teach, the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard, decided to give up piracy—at least ostensibly—in exchange for a royal pardon from the governor of North Carolina absolving him and his men of all wrongdoing.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decide 
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Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024
The following month, a grand jury indicted Smollett for making false reports after Webb said his office had finished its investigative steps regarding the case and had decided to prosecute him further.
—Megan Thomas, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
The Homeless Strategy Office generally decides to activate a cold weather shelter in the morning based on whether temperatures at Camp Mabry are forecast by the National Weather Service to be 32 degrees or colder, or 35 degrees and below with precipitation or a wind chill of 32 degrees or below.
—Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Edward Teach, the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard, decided to give up piracy—at least ostensibly—in exchange for a royal pardon from the governor of North Carolina absolving him and his men of all wrongdoing.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decide
Dictionary Entries Near decide
Cite this Entry
“Decide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decide. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decide
verb
de·cide
di-ˈsīd 
decided; deciding
1
: to give a judgment on
decided the case in favor of the person accused
2
: to bring to a final end
one blow decided the fight
3
: to cause to come to a choice or judgment
their appeals decided me to give generously
4
: to make a choice or judgment
decided to go
decider
noun
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