Synonyms of determine

determine

verb

di-ˈtər-mən 

1

as in to decide

to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)

a three-member panel will determine the case

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decide
• settle
• judge
• adjudicate
• consider
• arbitrate
• resolve
• adjudge
• rule (on)
• prosecute
• hear
• weigh
• conclude
• deem
• ponder
• try
• referee
• umpire
• mediate
• negotiate
• deliberate
• find (for or against)
• moderate
• redetermine
• size up
• rejudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hedge
• equivocate
• skirt
• pussyfoot

2

as in to choose

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration

trying to determine which direction we were facing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decide
• choose
• figure
• opt
• resolve
• find
• settle (on or upon)
• conclude
• select
• pick
• rule
• elect
• name
• adjudicate
• prefer
• arbitrate
• decree
• adjudge
• think (about or over)
• rule (on)
• ponder
• contemplate
• weigh
• consider
• judge
• cull
• handpick
• single (out)
• study
• deliberate
• debate
• entertain
• meditate
• question
• mull (over)
• ruminate
• cogitate
• referee
• umpire
• chew over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• abstain
• turn down
• delay
• hesitate
• halt
• temporize
• stall
• vacillate
• waver
• waffle
• shilly-shally

3

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort

we failed to determine the answer to the riddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• find
• learn
• discover
• locate
• ascertain
• get
• detect
• find out
• track (down)
• hit (on or upon)
• run down
• dig out
• dig up
• turn up
• hunt (down or up)
• dredge (up)
• scout (up)
• rout (out)
• ferret (out)
• root (out)
• descry
• scare up
• rummage
• spot
• nose out
• seek
• sight
• look for
• search (for or out)
• espy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• overlook
• pass over
• lose
• misplace
• mislay
• misset

4

as in to conclude

to come to an end

your participation in the savings plan determines with the termination of your employment here

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conclude
• stop
• cease
• end
• expire
• halt
• terminate
• pass
• go
• finish
• close
• die
• discontinue
• elapse
• let up
• wind up
• lapse
• leave off
• break off
• stall
• break up
• quit
• wink (out)
• bite the dust
• suspend
• refrain (from)
• desist (from)
• dead-end
• lay off (of)
• cut out
• pause
• stay
• pack (up or in)
• break down
• give over
• abate
• knock off
• wind down
• peter (out)
• conk (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• persist
• hang on
• extend
• prolong
• draw out
• protract

5

as in to settle

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute

your choice of college could determine the rest of your life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decide
• settle
• clarify
• define
• prove
• clinch
• establish
• ensure
• assure
• insure
• demonstrate
• specify
• show
• affirm
• nail
• secure
• illuminate
• state
• stipulate
• conclude
• nail (down)
• end
• clear (up)
• finish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• muddy
• unsettle
• muddle

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

Recent Examples of determine

The game is determined by the players on the field, but the chess match between the best offensive play-calling head coach and the best defensive play-calling head coach will be a fascinating one. —Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026

Using this as a measuring stick, On3 determined that Texas hasn't had as good of an offseason as Indiana, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Louisville, LSU, Virginia Tech and Houston. —Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026

The playing teams will be determined by the outcomes of this weekend's conference championships. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to the scene and took custody of the body to determine the cause of death. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026