determinate

adjective

di-ˈtər-mə-nət How to pronounce determinate (audio)
Definition of determinatenext
1
as in certain
having been established and usually not subject to change a determinate order of succession to the throne

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limited
having distinct or certain limits contestants have a determinate length of time to answer the questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 determinate Pruning is unnecessary because determinate tomatoes only grow to a certain height and then stop producing foliage. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026 Plants tend to grow taller than determinate types and are commonly pruned to maintain a single central stem. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 June 2026 Compassionate release emerged from the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, a statute better known for eliminating parole and ushering in the modern era of determinate sentencing. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026 Tomato cages are best used for low-maintenance, determinate, and bushy tomatoes, and are overall easier to set up than stakes. — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for determinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determinate
  1. certain
  2. limited
  3. stable
  4. finite
  5. fixed
  6. restricted
  7. unchanging
  8. definite
Adjective
  • But there’s also still room to grow, and certain structural issues as a result of this eight-ish-episodes-per-year format.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • OpenAI announcing that its upcoming AI model, dubbed Astra, breaches certain cybersecurity thresholds and will have throttled-back cyber capabilities when released.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of certain
Adjective
  • Not only did the limited library cards and shirts go fast, the whole rotunda reached legal capacity in just 20 minutes post-doors open time.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There have been some limited cases in which noncitizens have been criminally charged for voting or attempting to vote, including in Michigan, but it's been rare and not thought to have altered the outcome of any elections.
    — Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of limited
Adjective
  • Nuclear power, where viable, can offer another source of relatively stable generation costs.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Don also taught his son how to be a light for people who need him, how to be level-headed and stable and how to deal with adversity.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • On a finite graph, crossing the critical probability means the network will become dominated by one large sea of fluid.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Yet these sectors are placing overlapping claims on the same forests and finite land, putting cumulative pressure on an increasingly fragile resource base.
    — Kari Stoever, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of finite
Adjective
  • Because living expenses form a critical part of retirement planning, the study operated under the baseline assumption that retirees live on a fixed income.
    — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The precise spectacle changes daily because balloons travel with the wind rather than following a fixed route.
    — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of fixed
Adjective
  • The money flows into a restricted fund that cannot subsidize general government, and any surplus must be refunded or used to lower fees.
    — Fabiola Stuyvesant, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The restricted lanes are expected to include major freeways that cut across Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties and connect game venues with the Olympic villages, where athletes and coaches will stay.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of restricted
Adjective
  • Of recognizing the Sisyphean task ahead, the endless, unchanging road diminishing in the distance, and taking another step anyway.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The former Hartford mayor hewed to a simple, unchanging message.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of unchanging
Adjective
  • Our first round of the showcase had a definite dumpling theme, which included the dumpling trio from China pavilion and two orders from Gyozas of the Galaxy, including basil pesto chicken (creamy) and street corn-style (sorta spicy).
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Serving a vital manufacturing and export region in China, the Shenzhen facility supports growing cross-border trade, e-commerce shipments and time-definite international express services.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of definite

Browse Nearby Words

determinants
determinate
determination
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Cite this Entry

“Determinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determinate. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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