as in indefinite
formal
not able to be stated or described in an exact way
a man of indeterminate age an indeterminate number of people
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Recent Examples of indeterminate
In a fraction of people with this phenomenon, called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential — CHIP, for short — these cells can transform into cancers such as leukemia, though most will remain benign.
—
Angus Chen, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
Either way, bush-type or determinate growing plants are usually easier to keep inside than large, indeterminate, or vining varieties of tomatoes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
Many are small mammals (mice, raccoons, assorted rodents) while some are simply indeterminate cute little beings.
—Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025
The Unworthy takes place an indeterminate amount of time after an unspecified global catastrophe.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indeterminate
Angus Chen, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
Either way, bush-type or determinate growing plants are usually easier to keep inside than large, indeterminate, or vining varieties of tomatoes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
Many are small mammals (mice, raccoons, assorted rodents) while some are simply indeterminate cute little beings.
—Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025
The Unworthy takes place an indeterminate amount of time after an unspecified global catastrophe.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indeterminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indeterminate
Adjective
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At the same time, a large share of the affordable housing that does exist is tied to federal subsidies that weren't designed to be indefinite.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
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There's no information about the cause of the indefinite closure and there has been no response to email inquiries to Josh Taylor and the restaurant's email address, and a Facebook message to Fixture.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The approximate cost of the naming rights to Memorial Stadium is unknown, but a few recent deals can give folks a vague idea of what the cost could be.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
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Investigators allege that Kapoor and Lillaney generated a approximate total of $3 million in profits during the scheme, according to the indictment.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indeterminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indeterminate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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