DETERMINE Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

determine

verb

di-ˈtər-mən

Definition of determine next

as in to decide

to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute) a three-member panel will determine the case

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to choose

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration trying to determine which direction we were facing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort we failed to determine the answer to the riddle

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as in to conclude

to come to an end your participation in the savings plan determines with the termination of your employment here

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to settle

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute your choice of college could determine the rest of your life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 Authorities later determined that the 911 call came from inside the home. —

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025 An autopsy later determined the cause of death to be severe brain swelling and oxygen deprivation. —

Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025 Views of the economy — and Trump's presidency more broadly — could determine which party controls the White House four years from now, as Trump is limited to just four more years. —

Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025 However, following further investigation, Los Angeles Police Department officials determined there was insufficient probable cause to charge him with arson. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for determine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine

Verb

Those next two games will decide who's going to Super Bowl LIX on February 9.

— Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Content creators and influencers must decide what to do with the looming TikTok ban.

— Emma Cortes Ellendt, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025