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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  • This initiative would require certain private nonprofit healthcare clinics to spend at least 90% of their annual total revenue on patient services.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Different deadlines apply to certain military and overseas voters.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of certain
Adjective
  • Understanding their signals could eventually help people whose illness or limited mobility makes exercise difficult.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • This reduces computational requirements, allowing the system to operate on a moving robot with limited processing resources.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of limited
Adjective
  • The researchers designed the new electrolyte to tackle these problems by combining efficient ion transport with a more stable, solid-like structure.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Most SaaS pricing models were created around predictable usage patterns; subscriptions assume relatively stable cost structures, but AI breaks that assumption because usage becomes more dynamic.
    — Channing Ferrer, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of stable
Adjective
  • Instead of running through an infinite number of possibilities and checking whether the corresponding packing density is always lower than that proposed by Kepler, Fejes Tóth had proposed a way to examine just a finite number of cases.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Populations in nature are also regulated by their finite food supplies, and our control over infectious disease would have meant little without enough to eat.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of finite
Adjective
  • What a Protection Plan Actually Costs American Dream Auto Protect confirms eligibility during the quote process rather than publishing a fixed age or mileage cutoff, so drivers of older cars shouldn’t assume they’re priced out without asking.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Every transformer on the grid—from the cylinders perched on utility lines to the big spiky devices at substations—trades voltage for current at a fixed ratio.
    — Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of fixed
Adjective
  • Miami shot 14 of 25 within the restricted area in the first half before finishing 26 of 43 at the rim.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The violence and insecurity have displaced many and restricted health workers’ access to communities affected by Ebola.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of restricted
Adjective
  • His unchanging mind leads to an act of extreme violence against Leo.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Everything remains perfect and unchanging, but thanks to this constant attention.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of unchanging
Adjective
  • So, while there’s no immediate sense of urgency for Willis, there should definitely be a definite sense of urgency for Willis, if that makes, well, sense.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The film also led Cinequest’s rankings for converting advance audience interest into definite theatrical viewing intention among 55 titles distributed by members of independent distributors association Adicine.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 3 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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