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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 In these cases, healthcare providers will work to determine the cause. Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 31 May 2025 Although Dana Chandler's conviction had been overturned, prosecutors were determined to retry her for the murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness. Ruth Chenetz, CBS News, 31 May 2025 New imagery around season three had previously revealed two new games — a massive gumball machine dispensing red and blue balls (representing the Xs and Os vote that will determine their fates) and the other, a new twist on the iconic Red Light-Green-Light game. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2025 Fowler could not determine whether this was the result of negligence or an operation with malicious intent. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for determine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine
Verb
  • However, the outcome was decided in the most unexpected way: Nicklaus bogeyed the hole, but Palmer couldn't take advantage of it and carded a double bogey, sealing a three-stroke victory for Nicklaus.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • The court rejected the administration’s argument this time, deciding that Trump’s sweeping tariffs exceeded his authority to regulate imports under IEEPA.
    Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • There are so many reasons why a player may choose to play in a particular location, for a particular team, for a particular coach that have nothing to do with the tax situation in that market.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 5 June 2025
  • She was chosen as the player most likely to win MVP this season, and the Lynx were named title favorites in a survey of WNBA general managers before the season began.
    Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Fears that a serial killer is at large were reignited by the recent discovery of a body in a Texas lake, where 19 corpses have been found over the past three years.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • As the in-person portion of this year’s milestone edition concludes, Animayo continues to cement its reputation as a global hub for creative innovation, storytelling, and visual excellence.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 29 May 2025
  • When this period of rapid expansion concludes, Nvidia’s valuation will likely drop significantly.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Here’s what happened next Time to break some concrete Heavily built up and covered in graffiti, modern Athens bears little resemblance to the idyllic location people chose to settle millennia ago.
    Elinda Labropoulou, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
  • Those CBAs also require that should there be a dispute as to whether the league, a club, a union, or a player abided by their obligations under the CBA, such dispute be settled through a confidential arbitration process.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Losers, despite Wilken’s ruling, figure to be at least some of the walk-ons and partial scholarship athletes whose spots are gone.
    Eddie Pells, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2025
  • To figure that amount, ask your employees to complete Form W-4.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Ginny, who winds up pregnant after striking up a romance with Wolfe (Ty Doran) from her poetry class, decides to terminate her pregnancy shortly after learning of her condition, and her mom is completely on board with whatever her daughter wants.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 5 June 2025
  • As word of Pali’s interest traveled, Magee said, the Philharmonic’s board of directors learned of the school’s situation.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • On September 2, Border Force officers had stopped two women at London Stansted Airport.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Goldman Sachs and Nasdaq have both stopped requiring companies using them for an IPO to have diverse board members.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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