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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in finds
to come upon after searching, study, or effort
we failed to determine the answer to the riddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 determines
Authorities did say that additional information will be released once the three individuals are identified, and when the medical examiner determines their cause of death.
—
Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 19 June 2026
If the state determines the bear is a threat to public safety, it will be euthanized.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Under the island’s current economic model, the government largely determines what is produced, who produces it, the prices at which goods are sold and how the country’s resources are allocated.
—ABC News, 18 June 2026
What happens in classrooms today determines what the workforce looks like in ten years.
—Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Bet follows the students at a boarding school for the global elite, where underground gambling determines the school’s hierarchy.
—Peter White, Deadline, 18 June 2026
Even if relatively little oil from the Middle East is bound for the United States, the world’s largest oil producer, its flow still determines what American consumers and businesses pay.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
Parents risk intervention if a child-protection agency determines that their drug use has impaired their ability to parent.
—Sarah Levy, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
The report by the city auditor’s office found that there are gaps in how the city assesses costs, collects data and determines successful outcomes for unsheltered residents.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 19 June 2026
If the state determines the bear is a threat to public safety, it will be euthanized.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Under the island’s current economic model, the government largely determines what is produced, who produces it, the prices at which goods are sold and how the country’s resources are allocated.
—ABC News, 18 June 2026
What happens in classrooms today determines what the workforce looks like in ten years.
—Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Bet follows the students at a boarding school for the global elite, where underground gambling determines the school’s hierarchy.
—Peter White, Deadline, 18 June 2026
Even if relatively little oil from the Middle East is bound for the United States, the world’s largest oil producer, its flow still determines what American consumers and businesses pay.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
Parents risk intervention if a child-protection agency determines that their drug use has impaired their ability to parent.
—Sarah Levy, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
The report by the city auditor’s office found that there are gaps in how the city assesses costs, collects data and determines successful outcomes for unsheltered residents.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determines
Verb
-
Lucky decides to take Mason to his first baseball game in Atlanta, only to encounter a series of complications and setbacks for which fatherhood, grief, and economic barriers are a distinct part of the Black American experience.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
-
Outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles has announced her intent to resign by June 30 or whenever the council decides on her replacement.—
Zaire Breedlove,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
But the spec sheet is the price of entry, not the reason anyone chooses you.—
Ali Aydan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
So Josie chooses Klara, despite the latter being an older model.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
From fashion finds—like Madewell’s set of soft and simple crewneck T-shirts, a fabulous discovery from senior shopping editor Cortne Bonilla’s keen eye—to home steals, such as marketing and production manager Kasey Busiel’s favorite Brooklinen sheets and Talia Abbas’s Moccamaster coffee maker.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
24 June 2026
-
This revival finds new power in the intimate story of a family learning to love again set against one of the most consequential moments of the twentieth century, as the Nazi regime rises to power and authoritarianism encroaches on daily life.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
This essentially means that, for under-16s, Snapchat ceases to function as a social media app and becomes something closer to a sophisticated messaging platform just for friends and family.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
In the company of Charlie and Catherine, Leonora ceases to feel like herself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Soft, salt‑sweet air settles over a stretch of sand where no one seems in a rush to be anywhere else.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
17 June 2026
-
Still, after the dust settles, the Iranian regime may end up in a better financial situation than before the war started.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
But where her labelmates routinely drape their songs in warm, dense fuzz, Babuka Black opts for clarity and directness.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
-
He is featured on Kelli's Instagram Although Joel opts to be away from the spotlight, Kelli gives her Instagram followers a look at their lives together.—
Mariah Alanskas,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The main takeaway is, of course, what Tom learns about Evan, and how that squares with his primary motivation of protecting his son.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
This is something Tom might want to find out before Bechir (Kevin Carroll), who was willing to shoot Ruth to save his child from the horrors of Widow’s Bay, learns the truth about Evan.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The chapter concludes with the Ipnotica rings and earrings, whose rounded, asymmetrical forms are set with white and brown diamonds to create a sculptural bas-relief effect.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
The celebration concludes with the city’s annual fireworks show at the Placer County Fairgrounds.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Determines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determines. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
