determinism
noun
de·ter·min·ism
di-ˈtər-mə-ˌni-zəm 
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
compare indeterminism
Examples of determinism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To be fair, that last one is in a league of its own, but in a way, the liquid model takes a page from the quantum playbook in replacing a type of determinism (function determinism?) with, well, something else.
—
John Werner, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
To rephrase mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace’s explanation of determinism and mechanics and apply it to the brain, one’s present brain, and so one’s mental state, can be thought of as a compilation of past states that can be used to predict the future.
—Max Bertolero, Scientific American, 1 July 2019
During the race’s opening laps, NBC fixed its camera on Brady and discussed the nominative determinism at play.
—Adam Kilgore, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
Cloning is the ultimate expression of genetic determinism—chromosomes as character.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for determinism 
John Werner, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
To rephrase mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace’s explanation of determinism and mechanics and apply it to the brain, one’s present brain, and so one’s mental state, can be thought of as a compilation of past states that can be used to predict the future.
—Max Bertolero, Scientific American, 1 July 2019
During the race’s opening laps, NBC fixed its camera on Brady and discussed the nominative determinism at play.
—Adam Kilgore, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
Cloning is the ultimate expression of genetic determinism—chromosomes as character.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for determinism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'determinism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near determinism
Cite this Entry
“Determinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinism. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
determinism
noun
de·ter·min·ism
di-ˈtər-mə-ˌniz-əm
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
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