Synonyms of determines

determines

verb

present tense third-person singular of determine

1

as in decides

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

a three-member panel will determine the case

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decides
• settles
• considers
• judges
• adjudicates
• adjudges
• arbitrates
• resolves
• hears
• rules (on)
• deems
• prosecutes
• weighs
• concludes
• ponders
• deliberates
• mediates
• tries
• referees
• umpires
• negotiates
• finds (for or against)
• moderates
• sizes up
• redetermines
• rejudges

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• equivocates
• hedges
• skirts
• pussyfoots

2

as in chooses

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration

trying to determine which direction we were facing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chooses
• decides
• opts
• figures
• finds
• resolves
• concludes
• settles (on or upon)
• selects
• elects
• rules
• picks
• prefers
• decrees
• names
• adjudicates
• contemplates
• adjudges
• considers
• ponders
• deliberates
• rules (on)
• weighs
• thinks (about or over)
• arbitrates
• handpicks
• judges
• culls
• meditates
• singles (out)
• debates
• entertains
• ruminates
• cogitates
• mulls (over)
• studies
• umpires
• referees
• questions
• chews over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuses
• rejects
• declines
• abstains
• turns down
• halts
• hesitates
• delays
• stalls
• vacillates
• temporizes
• wavers
• waffles
• shilly-shallies

3

as in finds

to come upon after searching, study, or effort

we failed to determine the answer to the riddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• finds
• learns
• discovers
• locates
• gets
• ascertains
• detects
• finds out
• tracks (down)
• runs down
• turns up
• hits (on or upon)
• digs out
• roots (out)
• digs up
• hunts (down or up)
• rummages
• dredges (up)
• descries
• noses out
• scares up
• seeks
• ferrets (out)
• scouts (up)
• routs (out)
• sights
• spots
• looks for
• searches (for or out)
• espies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misses
• overlooks
• passes over
• loses
• misplaces
• mislays
• missets

4

as in ceases

to come to an end

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ceases
• concludes
• stops
• ends
• expires
• halts
• terminates
• passes
• goes
• dies
• closes
• finishes
• elapses
• discontinues
• breaks off
• lapses
• winds up
• quits
• leaves off
• breaks up
• stalls
• lets up
• winks (out)
• suspends
• bites the dust
• stays
• refrains (from)
• pauses
• dead-ends
• packs (up or in)
• cuts out
• desists (from)
• lays off (of)
• breaks down
• gives over
• abates
• knocks off
• winds down
• peters (out)
• conks (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continues
• persists
• hangs on
• extends
• prolongs
• draws out
• protracts

5

as in settles

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute

your choice of college could determine the rest of your life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decides
• settles
• defines
• clarifies
• clinches
• proves
• establishes
• ensures
• specifies
• nails
• assures
• demonstrates
• shows
• insures
• affirms
• stipulates
• illuminates
• nails (down)
• secures
• states
• ends
• concludes
• clears (up)
• finishes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuses
• unsettles
• muddles
• muddies

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of determines

Experience may open the door, but character is often what determines how far someone ultimately goes. — Hao Lam, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

The statute of limitations determines how long a debt collector generally has to sue you over a debt, and the timeline varies by state and type of debt. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

That process determines whether the subject may correspond to a sanctioned party. — Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

The Health Service Cost Review Commission determines those rates. — Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2026

But the window that determines whether restoration will even be possible is measured in weeks and relies on shoring up the masonry and weatherproofing it. — Giorgia Giardina, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Jones came into the weekend 18th in the standings, 44 points behind 16th-place Austin Cindric for the final spot in The Chase that determines the series champion. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

If the judge determines that probable cause does not exist, the person must be released immediately. — Corey B. Friedman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026

Yet the agreement doesn’t define the word that determines who may play in the league. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026