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

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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 Then the East’s play-in game between the loser of the Magic-Hawks matchup and the winner of the Bulls-Heat game will be played on Friday in either Orlando or Atlanta and aired on TNT at a time still to be determined. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 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, 13 Apr. 2025 Federal and local authorities are still working to determine the cause of the crash. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025 The two winning teams will go on to the final round, while the other two teams will face off in a consolation matchup to determine third place overall. —Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 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
  • Lacking any evidence, the department decided Ozturk could be deported at Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s discretion under law.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In this scenario, the Saints decide to make a bold play and move up for their passer of the future.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of decide
Verb
  • There are three temperature settings to choose from, and the cooling option works similarly to an ice roller—offering cooling benefits that soothe swelling, refresh tired eyes, and refine the look of pores.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The America's Next Top Model creator said her name was a joint effort from her family after her mother simplified a moniker that the model’s grandmother had chosen.
    — Angel Saunders, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of choose
Verb
  • Officers responded to the 800 block of N 70th Avenue around 9:30 p.m. Saturday and found Javon Brown, 19, and Delorean Jackson, 20, outside a home with gunshot wounds.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But if Romano’s fastball remains lost, the Phillies will have to find another right-hander who can fill an end-game role.
    — Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of find
Verb
  • After the video concluded, Dončić wiped away tears before joining his teammates.
    — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Gannon concluded his 17-year NFL career with impressive statistics: 28,743 passing yards and 180 touchdowns.
    — Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • The team settled on a patient with SD Autism Spectrum disorder who had an ankle sprain but frustrated Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) with his endless questions.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Google settled with the Alphabet Workers Union, which represents company employees and contractors, according to the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, or NLRB.
    — Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of settle
Verb
  • Yet the Red Sox still figure to give him opportunities over the next two months.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Only a handful of teams project to have salary-cap space, and most of the top potential free agents figure to stay with their current teams.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of figure
Verb
  • Investigators also learned that a friend of Johnson's had pawned a handgun for him.
    — William Morris, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This is a learning opportunity rooted in both experience and education, so what are your intentions for growth through study and travel? Libra Shuhua Xiong Venus-Saturn conjunction on April 24: Make your routines more relational.
    — Colin Bedell, Them., 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of learn
Verb
  • The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.
    — Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of stop

Browse Nearby Words

determinative
determine
determined
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Cite this Entry

“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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