Meaning & use
decision-makers
Last updated
“decision-makers” is a form of “decision-maker”.
Meaning
nounplural
People who have the authority to make important choices, especially in an organization or government.
Grammar: Always plural; the singular is 'decision-maker'. Takes a plural verb: 'The decision-makers are meeting.'
Patterns
- the decision-makers
- key decision-makers
- decision-makers in something
The company's decision-makers met to discuss the new budget.
In a democracy, voters elect decision-makers to represent them.
Environmental groups are urging decision-makers to take action on climate change.
Word forms
| singular | decision-maker |
|---|
Common combinations
- key decision-makers
- The key decision-makers were all present at the summit.
- senior decision-makers
- Senior decision-makers must approve the plan before it goes ahead.
- political decision-makers
- Political decision-makers are under pressure to reform the system.
- decision-makers in [industry/government]
- Decision-makers in the tech industry are worried about new regulations.
- the decision-makers behind something
- She wanted to know who the decision-makers behind the policy were.
Synonyms and how they differ
- policymakers
- Similar, but specifically those who make policies, especially in government or large organizations; 'decision-makers' is broader.
- executives
- Refers to senior managers in a company; 'decision-makers' can include people outside business, such as politicians or officials.
- authorities
- Often means official bodies or people with legal power; 'decision-makers' focuses on the act of making choices, not necessarily legal authority.
Word family
- decision noun
- A choice that you make after thinking about it.
- decide verb
- To make a choice or come to a conclusion.
- decisive adjective
- Able to make decisions quickly and confidently.
- decision-making noun
- The process of making important choices.
Commonly confused: decision-makers or decision maker?
decision-makers vs decision maker
Same meaning, but often written as two words without a hyphen. The hyphenated form 'decision-maker' is also common and preferred by some style guides.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'decision-makers' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Decision-makers' is plural, so it takes a plural verb 'are'. Option 1 uses 'is' (singular), option 3 uses 'a' with a plural noun, and option 4 uses 'has' (singular).
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “decision-makers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.