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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

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
Verb
  • Rather than revolutionizing its industry through bold, innovative, and risky endeavors, Toyota chose incremental but relentless improvement.
    H. James Wilson and Paul R. Daugherty, Harvard Business Review, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Sasaki was highly coveted across Major League Baseball once his bidding period opened up, but chose the reigning World Series champions as his next team.
    Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But Chelsea improved their press to force the champions to build out on their left flank, resulting in passes played over the top to find Gvardiol, who was their most potent attacking threat, with limited success.
    Sam Lee, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Stearns scored 26 points, including 13 in the third quarter as the Vaqueros opened their 30-10 halftime lead to 51-25 despite Sage Hill starting to find its footing.
    Martin Henderson, Orange County Register, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The league concluded, justifiably or not, that no deal was possible in Oakland, clearing Fisher to leave for Las Vegas.
    Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • But most have concluded that justice will never be theirs, that the police have moved on to investigating crimes that receive more public attention, that they have been forgotten.
    Ryan Lillis, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Environmental Design International settled with the plaintiffs in 2023, said Matthew Sims, an attorney for the plaintiffs, and the settlement agreement is confidential.
    Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Musk, as the head of Tesla, has enormous economic exposure to China through the automaker and will want trade policy between the two superpowers to be settled as soon as possible rather than let tensions rise.
    Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The game figures to be tight, and for a while now, coach Andy Reid’s Chiefs have been winning such duels.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Both the Lakers and Warriors figure to continue pursuing upgrades between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline, although neither seems likely to swing a blockbuster trade for another star.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • He’s become more aggressive on the ball as well, learning when to make a play when a guy is going into a scoring move or his back is turned.
    Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Once your door is spotless, learn how to clean the shower door tracks and create a DIY glass-cleaning spray to prevent buildup.
    Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Presence follows you home, long after the camera has stopped rolling.
    Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
  • But some also said the length and scope of the communications slowdown was unusual, resulting in confusion among staff as health agencies sought to stop or claw back communications, meetings and events to comply with the directive.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near determine

Cite this Entry

“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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