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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Each specimen was weighed and put in the same-sized containers filled with superworm larvae to determine the optimal ratio of larvae to specimen for thorough cleaning without damaging bones.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
Factors that determined the ranking included the availability of co-working spaces, internet speeds, and typical summer temperatures.
—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
1 July 2026
Detectives investigating the incident determined that the 10-year-old had allegedly shot the baby, and he was taken into custody, police said.
—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for determine
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Each specimen was weighed and put in the same-sized containers filled with superworm larvae to determine the optimal ratio of larvae to specimen for thorough cleaning without damaging bones.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
Factors that determined the ranking included the availability of co-working spaces, internet speeds, and typical summer temperatures.
—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
1 July 2026
Detectives investigating the incident determined that the 10-year-old had allegedly shot the baby, and he was taken into custody, police said.
—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for determine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine
Verb
-
Both Swift and Kelce decided to forgo bridesmaids and groomsmen, per a statement shared with People.
-
Later, Swift revealed that she was charmed by Kelce’s willingness to court her so publicly and decided to give him a chance.
Verb
-
Old borrowers may need to consolidate loans, choose new repayment plans or risk being involuntarily placed in one that may not fit their budget, loan experts said.
-
Design is what decides whether a person can do their best work, find the thread to something larger, and choose without leaving.
Verb
-
Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
-
His attorneys contend the containers found on Pino’s boat were collected from other friends’ vessels partying with them on the sandbar that day.
Verb
-
The bidding process that won AllHere the contract had concluded months before the Carvalho travel to Washington.
-
The series is even, 1-1, and concludes Sunday afternoon.
Verb
-
Delta has denied these allegations and settled Nejat’s lawsuit last year.
-
The company agreed to settle the case without admitting liability.
Verb
-
There was success, attention, expectation - and underneath it, a girl still figuring herself out.
-
Going back to the books, the cocoon periods after each tragedy were periods of vulnerability, figuring things out and trying to survive, and that’s incredibly satisfying to play.
Verb
-
Hawkins, 38, will end his 13-year run as Officer Kevin Atwater on the popular NBC show during the show's upcoming Season 14 in October, USA TODAY has learned.
-
Sensors read a physiological signal, feed it back in real time, and the user learns to nudge it in a calmer direction.
Verb
-
When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card.
-
Making new friends isn’t something that has to stop at a certain point in your life.
Cite this Entry
“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
