determine

verb

di-ˈtər-mən How to pronounce determine (audio)
Definition of determinenext
1
as in to decide
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute) a three-member panel will determine the case

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to choose
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration trying to determine which direction we were facing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to find
to come upon after searching, study, or effort we failed to determine the answer to the riddle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to conclude
to come to an end your participation in the savings plan determines with the termination of your employment here

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to settle
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute your choice of college could determine the rest of your life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb determine differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of determine are decide, resolve, rule, and settle. While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

When is it sensible to use decide instead of determine?

The words decide and determine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

When might resolve be a better fit than determine?

The synonyms resolve and determine 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 would rule be a good substitute for determine?

The meanings of rule and determine largely overlap; however, rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

When can settle be used instead of determine?

Although the words settle and determine have much in common, 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 determine Competitors will face off across 12 different weight classes in 24 individual one-round contests, with team performance determining the overall winner. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025 The amount of calories burned while sleeping can be calculated by first determining the number of calories expended per hour of the day. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025 The man’s cause and manner of death will be determined following an autopsy, authorities said. — Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025 Clashes reportedly continued overnight into Sunday but CNN was unable to determine the full extent of the unrest. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for determine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine
  1. decide
  2. choose
  3. find
  4. conclude
  5. settle
  6. figure
  7. learn
  8. stop
Verb
  • But New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle took exception to the bill, asserting that prosecutors already consider someone’s history including domestic violence in deciding sentences.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The match was all but decided on the second playoff hole, played on the iconic 17th at TPC Sawgrass.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of decide
Verb
  • The Suns drafted him with the 22nd pick, one of three Arkansas Razorbacks chosen in the first round, joining Todd Day and Lee Mayberry.
    — Doug Haller, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • California state workers who have been watching the chaos unfold understand that public servants at the federal level don’t choose to work in government for the overly generous salaries.
    — William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of choose
Verb
  • Many focused on the birdies and course-tying score, but leave it up to golf stat guru Justin Ray to find another impressive stat to pile onto Thomas' performance.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The prior-generation Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive, the Long-Range All-Wheel Drive, and Performance All-Wheel Drive are only found on the inventory page now – where they are being heavily discounted in some cases.
    — Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of find
Verb
  • The tournament begins with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio, and concludes with the championship showdown in San Antonio, Texas.
    — Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Safely reaching Earth concluded a trip that, for Williams and Wilmore, has garnered broad interest because of the unexpected nature of their extended stay in orbit and the dramatic turn of events that prevented them from returning home aboard the Boeing Starliner vehicle.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • He’s settled well on Merseyside, building tight bonds with fellow pros like Darwin Núñez and Alexis Mac Allister, and knows the Kop’s rocking song about his path to Merseyside and goalscoring endeavors.
    — Henry Flynn, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons… MEDIA MIC DROP – Anti-woke comedian calls out liberals for rehashing a debate country has already settled.
    — Fox News, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of settle
Verb
  • Kevin Stefanski is a solid coach and the defense has been solid over the years, but until the offense figures things out, the Browns will remain at the bottom of the division.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Athena instantly figures it out: Amber murdered those other girls and kidnapped Jayna, using Bullock as a patsy.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of figure
Verb
  • Read Next: These Renegade Hunters Are Skiing into the Backcountry with Their Bird Dogs But the most valuable part of the class is learning to make good decisions in the mountains.
    — Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
  • That’s a pretty big revelation, and one that Mark is not happy to learn.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of learn
Verb
  • The water tank is a great place to stop and eat a pack lunch.
    — John Meyer, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Here are 3 reasons why leaders – political as well as corporate – should stop talking about themselves and others as players in a game.
    — Pia Lauritzen, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of stop

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Cite this Entry

“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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