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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 Italian investigators have publicly dismissed the findings and have told local reporters that until the vessel can be examined once out of the water, no conclusion into the cause of the sinking can be determined. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 20 May 2025 The outlet added that a motive has yet to be determined by police. Sean Neumann, People.com, 20 May 2025 Currently, there is no data on the containment status of the fire and the cause has yet to be determined. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2025 The development plan, handling of Sears, project design and construction timing will be determined by the ultimate buyer. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for determine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine
Verb
  • The Court found that the IRS was correct in its decision to revoke tax-exempt status, but the case was not decided until 1983.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • For now, he’s decided attending university is the best path, but opted to spend his first year of school in Rome to deepen his spirituality.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The fact that the high court chose this case to discuss universal injunctions could mean a majority want to reaffirm their use, said Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • The pageant continues Sunday at 1 p.m., at which time a new Miss Maine will be chosen to advance to the Miss USA pageant.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Authorities said his car was found at the Mount Adams trailhead, while his remains were found on the Allen Mountain Trail.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • And so, just a few months after the call in November 2005, Pegg found himself on the Paramount lot in LA, meeting Cruise for the very first time and shooting scenes for one of the biggest action franchises of all time.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Their research concluded that nearly 40% of dogs tested positive for the disease.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The Liberty have concluded their months-long victory lap that started with a trip down the Canyon of Heroes and ended among the world’s biggest pop-culture superstars at the Met Gala.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Have all the evidentiary issues been settled? Not entirely.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Listen to this article San Diego is paying out $700,000 to settle two injury lawsuits, one involving a pedestrian in San Ysidro and another involving a motorcycle rider in northern Clairemont.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Doing so would then free up Scott Harris and Co. to pursue another upgrade at the July 31 trade deadline, when the Tigers figure to be major buyers.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • The Mavericks figure to take Flagg and not look back.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • This can include learning to maintain robotic systems to stay relevant.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • The College and Career Fair, held on the school’s Del Mar campus, served as a vibrant hub of exploration and learning for students with learning differences.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • In 2010, a small city nestled between the Rocky Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille in North Idaho voted to stop adding fluoride to its municipal water system.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 12 May 2025
  • Chemotherapy Chemotherapy agents, most commonly docetaxel, may be used when hormone treatments stop working and a person has metastatic CRPC.
    Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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