1
as in deciding
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 figuring
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 finding
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 stopping
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 settling
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
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Recent Examples of determining
Investigators are still determining why the substation was targeted.
—
Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
InsureandGo set out to put some debate to rest by determining the world’s most authentic destinations for discerning travelers.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
The investigation process becomes essential for determining who is accountable because commercial vehicles operate with multiple stakeholders whose responsibility extends to the driver, shipping company, vehicle owner and mechanic.
—Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Audience members vote after each episode, determining which contestants stay and which are eliminated, a system that can sometimes prioritize popularity over talent.
—Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Her doctors are determining if the malignancy was caught early.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
University leadership and department heads will be responsible for determining what is considered relevant.
—Samuel O’Neal 19, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
When determining whether or not to invest in a hair dryer for curly hair, consider your cost per use.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
Democrats had appealed to the Supreme Court that the Tazewell County Circuit Court ruling that Democrats in the legislature acted against proper procedure, striking down the referendum and determining that the current map must stay in place until 2028.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
InsureandGo set out to put some debate to rest by determining the world’s most authentic destinations for discerning travelers.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
The investigation process becomes essential for determining who is accountable because commercial vehicles operate with multiple stakeholders whose responsibility extends to the driver, shipping company, vehicle owner and mechanic.
—Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Audience members vote after each episode, determining which contestants stay and which are eliminated, a system that can sometimes prioritize popularity over talent.
—Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Her doctors are determining if the malignancy was caught early.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
University leadership and department heads will be responsible for determining what is considered relevant.
—Samuel O’Neal 19, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
When determining whether or not to invest in a hair dryer for curly hair, consider your cost per use.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
Democrats had appealed to the Supreme Court that the Tazewell County Circuit Court ruling that Democrats in the legislature acted against proper procedure, striking down the referendum and determining that the current map must stay in place until 2028.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determining
Verb
-
The rigidity of that system is one of the reasons Liu quit the sport at 16, before deciding to return, on her own terms, two years later.—
Alice Park,
Time,
22 Feb. 2026
-
But officials held off on deciding whether to open schools Monday for the time being.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a ruse that, for lack of a more astute reference point here, feels very Don Draper-coded, Rose poses as the dear male soldier who died next to her in battle, figuring why waste the deeds to perfectly decent land, or his name.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Somehow, the guy known for not thinking much about results has a stealthy knack for figuring things out.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Eagles missed numerous three-point attempts, while Sierra Canyon was finding different players to contribute.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The two parties have not come to a resolution after a two-day fact-finding session, in which a neutral panel reviews contract disputes.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When stopping roadside, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
For years, the staunchest border hawks and hard-liners justified their positions in terms of stopping unlawful immigration.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Across neighborhoods in San Francisco, Larkspur, the Tahoe basin and beyond, the loss is settling in — at dinner tables, in school drop-offs and along a mountainside waiting for the weather to shift.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Robert Zubrin, who has thought more about settling Mars than perhaps anyone alive today, thinks that Martian children would have to work a lot more than most kids do on Earth these days.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to his duties as creative director, Manuel was also a frequent onscreen presence, judging select panels and assisting in challenges.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But judging by the reaction of 94-year-old Beryl Greensmith, this little yellow robot leaves quite the impression.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Your strength lies not in not needing anyone, but in consciously choosing with whom to move forward.—
Marie Bladt,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
If even deciding where to start seems difficult, Bereika suggests choosing the smallest category.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many viewers felt the show crossed a line by having Cycle 4 contestant Kahlen Rondot pose in a grave just hours after learning her childhood friend had died in a car accident.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The study showed activities like reading, writing, and learning a language were linked to slower cognitive decline and better brain health.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Determining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determining. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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