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Decide vs Convince - What's the difference?

decide | convince |

As verbs the difference between decide and convince

is that decide is to resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle while convince is to make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.

decide

English

Verb

(decid)
  • To resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle.
  • The election will be decided on foreign policies.
    We must decide our next move.
    Her last-minute goal decided the game.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; / Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.
  • To make a judgment, especially after deliberation.
  • You must decide between good and evil.
    I have decided that it is healthier to walk to work.
  • * Bible, 1 Kings xx. 40
  • So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
  • To cause someone to come to a decision.
  • * 1920 , , "The Adventure of the Three Gables" (Norton edition, 2005, p. 1537),
  • It decides me to look into the matter, for if it is worth anyone's while to take so much trouble, there must be something in it.
  • (obsolete) To cut off; to separate.
  • * Fuller
  • Our seat denies us traffic here; / The sea, too near, decides us from the rest.

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See

    Synonyms

    * make up one's mind * choose * determine * pick

    convince

    English

    Verb

    (convinc)
  • To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
  • * Atterbury
  • Such convincing proofs and assurances of it as might enable them to convince others.
  • To persuade.
  • (obsolete) To overcome, conquer, vanquish.
  • * Shakespeare
  • His two chamberlains / Will I with wine and wassail so convince / That memory, the warder of the brain, / Shall be a fume.
  • (obsolete) To confute; to prove wrong.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • God never wrought miracle to convince' atheism, because his ordinary works ' convince it.
  • (obsolete) To prove guilty; to convict.
  • * Bible, John viii. 46
  • Which of you convinceth me of sin?
  • * Dryden
  • Seek not to convince me of a crime / Which I can ne'er repent, nor you can pardon.

    Synonyms

    * persuade * satisfy * assure * convert * win over