Making up one's mind (8) - Crossword Clue
Answer: DECIDING
DECIDING is the 8-letter answer to the crossword clue "Making up one's mind." This word perfectly captures the act of reaching a conclusion or making a choice after careful consideration.
Understanding the Answer
- The word DECIDING comes from the Latin "decidere," meaning "to cut off" or "to determine."
- In everyday usage, deciding represents the mental process of choosing between different options or courses of action.
- When you're making up your mind, you're actively working through alternatives to arrive at a final choice.
- This answer works brilliantly for the crossword clue because it literally means the act of making up one's mind - the exact definition provided.
- The 8-letter constraint fits perfectly with DECIDING (D-E-C-I-D-I-N-G), making it an ideal solution for puzzlers.
Related Crossword Terms
- When solving similar clues, you might encounter related words like choosing, settling, resolving, or determining.
- However, DECIDING remains the most direct match for "making up one's mind" at 8 letters.
- Other variations of this clue might include "reaching a verdict," "coming to a conclusion," or "making a choice."
- The -ING suffix indicates an ongoing action, which perfectly captures the progressive nature of the decision-making process.
- This grammatical structure is common in crossword puzzles for clues describing active processes.
Tips for Solving Similar Clues
- Count the letters first - The number in parentheses (8) tells you exactly how many letters you need
- Look for verb forms - "Making up" suggests an active verb, often ending in -ING
- Consider synonyms - Think of all words that mean "making a choice" or "reaching a conclusion"
- Check crossing answers - Use intersecting words to confirm letters, especially the D at the start or G at the end
- Think literally - Sometimes the most straightforward interpretation is correct
Making up one's mind (8) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Why is DECIDING better than other 8-letter words like CHOOSING?
A: While CHOOSING is also 8 letters, DECIDING more precisely means "making up one's mind," which implies reaching a final conclusion rather than just selecting from options.
Q: Could the answer be RESOLVED or SETTLING?
A: RESOLVED is only 8 letters but past tense, while the clue suggests present action. SETTLING is 8 letters but implies compromise rather than actively making up one's mind.
Q: Are there other common crossword clues for DECIDING?
A: Yes! You might see "Reaching a verdict," "Determining," "Coming to a conclusion," or "Adjudicating" as alternative clues for DECIDING.
Q: What if my crossing letters don't match DECIDING?
A: Double-check your intersecting answers - one of them might be incorrect. The D, C, D, and G are the most common crossing points to verify.Retry
