determinism

noun

de·​ter·​min·​ism di-ˈtər-mə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce determinism (audio)
dē-
1
philosophy
a
: a theory or doctrine that acts of the will (see will entry 2 sense 4a), occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws
b
: a belief in predestination
2
: the quality or state of being determined
determinist
di-ˈtər-mə-nəst How to pronounce determinism (audio)
dē-
noun or adjective
deterministic
di-ˌtər-mə-ˈni-stik How to pronounce determinism (audio)
dē-
adjective
deterministically
di-ˌtər-mə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce determinism (audio)
dē-
adverb
see also:
indeterminism

Examples of determinism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
His cultural determinism appears to leave America fated to endlessly repeat an ancient pattern of conflict. — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Burbank’s environmental determinism was tangled with a settler-colonial impulse to imbue the wild landscape with Western ideals of control and organization to not only manage but also improve populations, in both plants and humans. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2026 Nominative determinism, in the bin. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 16 June 2026 The present is no longer the result of determinism but response, not mechanistic reaction but creative intra-action. — Jenny Odell, Longreads, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for determinism

Word History

Etymology

see determine

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of determinism was in 1838

Phrases Containing determinism

Rhymes for determinism

See All Rhymes for determinism

Browse Nearby Words

determiner
determinism
deterministic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Determinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinism. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

determinism

noun
de·​ter·​min·​ism di-ˈtər-mə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce determinism (audio)
1
: a theory or doctrine that acts of the will, occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws
explained behavior by the combination of an environmental and a genetic determinism
2
: the quality or state of being determined
deterministic
-ˌtər-mə-ˈnis-tik How to pronounce determinism (audio)
adjective
also determinist
-ˈtərm-(ə-)nəst How to pronounce determinism (audio)
deterministically
-ˌtər-mə-ˈnis-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce determinism (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on determinism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about determinism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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