1
as in decides
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 chooses
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 finds
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 ceases
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 settles
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
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Recent Examples of determines
When the next breakthrough enters the doctor’s office—whether AI, gene therapy, or an unimagined technology—trust will remain the essential ingredient that determines whether medicine heals not just illness, but healthcare itself.
—
Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Gary Vee identified this shift as the transition from social media to interest media, but most entrepreneurs and brands are still operating as if follower count determines reach.
—Ivana Johnston, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The city replaced it with a system that overwhelmingly pairs pretrial release with levels of supervision tied to the risk that a court determines a defendant might pose.
—Christine Scott-Hayward, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
Who determines which deaths get national attention?
—Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
The jury's out on what determines the rest.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2025
The method in which they’re folded, either down the middle or the side, determines whether the filling is ricotta or pea.
—AFAR Media, 2 Sep. 2025
Our financial status should not be what determines Mom’s relationship with us.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Some towns have seen large drops in their grand lists caused in part by changes made in recent years to the state law that determines how local officials figure the value of cars for property tax purposes.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 10 Apr. 2025
Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Gary Vee identified this shift as the transition from social media to interest media, but most entrepreneurs and brands are still operating as if follower count determines reach.
—Ivana Johnston, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The city replaced it with a system that overwhelmingly pairs pretrial release with levels of supervision tied to the risk that a court determines a defendant might pose.
—Christine Scott-Hayward, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
Who determines which deaths get national attention?
—Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
The jury's out on what determines the rest.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2025
The method in which they’re folded, either down the middle or the side, determines whether the filling is ricotta or pea.
—AFAR Media, 2 Sep. 2025
Our financial status should not be what determines Mom’s relationship with us.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Some towns have seen large drops in their grand lists caused in part by changes made in recent years to the state law that determines how local officials figure the value of cars for property tax purposes.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determines
Verb
-
The cat decides its favorite spot to sleep is also a great place to stretch and scratch.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Perhaps America won’t be healthy again until Kennedy simply decides to declare victory, regardless of what the next three years bring.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, the suspension of the de minimis rule now means that lower value shipments will now be subject to an additional 10% to 50% levy that coincides with the tariff rate of the country of origin, or a flat rate of $80 to $200, depending on which option the seller chooses.—
Rhett Buttle,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Whichever variation of back four Guardiola chooses, none of them look like keeping a clean sheet at the moment.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Keep scrolling for kitchen finds as low as $5.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Perhaps overcome by the beauty of a very blue natural pool nestled in the woods, Cherry finds it in herself to be honest with Daniel.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Without any of the three, money once again ceases to circulate.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Some of the details may subtly shift between each retelling, but the story always remains the same and never ceases to grab attention.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Cortège gestures toward that transcendence, but too often settles for the kind of veiled enchantment that follows us home through our screens.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Humanity, united by one language, settles on a plain in Shinar and begins constructing a tower to reach the heavens and make a name for themselves.—
John Fugelsang
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Unable to find his favorite variety, Johnson sometimes opts for another traditional choice, the Granny Smith.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Gage often opts for a solid or patterned velvet sofa with a print mix in the pillows.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Nostalgia, as Sheeran learns, sometimes reopens wounds and invites emotional gut punches previously buried for self-protection.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Everybody learns, takes notes and remembers information differently.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The report concludes that North Korea is far from adhering to its obligations under international law.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Thursday’s report concludes the investigation into the collision between a Bell 407, on a helicopter coordinator training flight, and a Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane helitanker during a 2023 wildfire near Cabazon, California.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Determines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determines. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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