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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 The state crime lab has their bodies and is determining their manner and cause of death. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025 An exact path for the tunnel has not been determined. Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025 Should a fee agreement between the clubs not be reached, the total due to Palace will be determined at a tribunal by the Professional Footballers’ Compensation Committee. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 31 July 2025 Damage in the United States has been determined to be minimal so far, with Honolulu's dangerous traffic gridlock being the main catastrophe, according to state and local authorities. James Powel, USA Today, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for determine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine
Verb
  • Two primary strategies can be employed to leverage this information: Pre-Earnings Positioning: Traders might decide to position themselves ahead of the earnings release, based on historical probabilities.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • The 193-member U.N. General Assembly decided in September last year that such a conference would be held in 2025.
    Michelle Nichols, USA Today, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Jefferson County Board of Education members chose to take it a step further by banning them during hallway and lunch time, too.
    Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 3 Aug. 2025
  • From sunny Fort Myers and Naples to remote Sanibel and Captiva, visitors have plenty to choose from when deciding on a destination.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 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
  • At a two-day meeting that concludes Wednesday, the Fed is widely expected to hold its key interest rate steady despite President Donald Trump’s monthslong campaign aimed at browbeating Fed Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues into cutting rates.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 28 July 2025
  • Metallica is slated to kick off their 2026 M72 World Tour in the late spring, which will conclude in the early summer on July 5th, 2026.
    Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • In June, Khoury rejected an offer from Honda to settle his case for $1,000, saying that replacing the minivan’s tires around every 25,000 miles would cost much more than that.
    Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 14 July 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
  • This week on Bachelor in Paradise, the singles learned about the cash prize — and love was suddenly the last thing on (most of) their minds.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • From your local furniture store to your neighbor’s landscaping business to a mid-level retailer, everyone has learned over the past 20-some years how to create an online footprint, one way or another, with Google search.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Grappler is one of various devices used by police to stop pursuits in Minnesota.
    Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Women capitalized on remote work and flexibility during the pandemic and stopped exiting the labor force, research shows.
    Alana Semuels, Time, 4 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on determine

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