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

Creating a licensing body is not a bizarre idea in a world where the FAA determines the airworthiness of planes and banks must pass stress tests to operate. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026

What, for example, determines the topography of the hills and valleys? — Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

The strength of these winds determines how much water sloshes across the ocean. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

The mill’s decision, not the announcement of a new initiative, determines whether the project moves forward. — Lewis Perkins, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

The weather determines everything in these southerly latitudes of Patagonia. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

The October Count Day determines 90% of a district's state funding, with the remaining 10% based on the spring count. — Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

The program determines the optimal price for menu items based on a store’s sales, location and other factors, including competitors’ prices. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Luminate determines the Top 30 qualifying podcasts among all eligible ones based on a list of criteria, including audience reach and engagement, revenue and chart rankings, using direct data from platforms. — Peter White, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026