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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 Tavares police said detectives are working with the local medical examiner to determine Jenkins’ cause of death. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025 Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause has yet to be determined. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Plans call for apartments, townhomes, and space for more restaurant and retail tenants that have yet to be determined. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025 To determine this length of the record-holding megaflash, the team reviewed data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES-16 satellite, which is equipped with a lightning mapper that observes about one million bolts per day. Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for determine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine
Verb
  • The district also stressed that the policy doesn’t mean teachers must use Chromebooks in every lesson and can decide when to use the technology.
    Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2025
  • When those plans fell apart, White decided to go fishing anyway.
    David Chiu, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In 2020, 63 percent chose Joe Biden, according to AP VoteCast.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Merkley ultimately chose to close the camp after someone who seemingly did not live there fired a gunshot near a camp resident's tent the morning of July 25, according to police.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • For Canyon Crest Academy Foundation, the audit found discrepancies between the foundation’s own records and previously audited balances and filed tax returns.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The Chargers then worked this offseason to find options on the outside to complement McConkey, including drafting Harris and Lambert-Smith.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Researchers estimate that the actual number is even larger, taking into account births after the study's window concluded.
    De Elizabeth, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The episode ends with Mr Mackey resigning from ICE, concluding that the work goes against his nature.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • All of these should be allowed to settle almost to the bottom before the retrieve is begun.
    Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
  • While the pair have been settled in Los Angeles together for years now, Jonathan opened up to PEOPLE about the possibility of relocating out to the country.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Given three months to get healthy and figure something out, he’s been open to suggestions.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2025
  • But if Grant Hill, who was previously plagued by ankle pains during his NBA career, can figure it out, the rest of us have no excuse.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Juggling the Premier League and a minimum of eight midweek Champions League matches will be a challenge for a young squad, but Spurs will hope to have learned from their struggles of last season… What are the expectations inside the club for this season?
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Jacob Riis tenants learned from this cautionary tale, voting overwhelmingly against privatization.
    Stacy Torres, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • After that the Padres, out of nowhere, just stopped hitting.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
  • For the the Lynx system replaced by Scout vans, buses will stop running routes on Jan. 10.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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