as in indefinite
formal
not able to be stated or described in an exact way
a man of indeterminate age an indeterminate number of people
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Recent Examples of indeterminate
Before the nineteen-eighties, judges around the country often used what was known as indeterminate sentencing.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2025
Vince, who co-founded the Black Rabbit with his brother years ago, has been hiding out in Reno for an indeterminate period, for unambivalent reasons.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Pinch off the growing tips of vining crops, such as indeterminate tomatoes, squash, and melons, to force the plants to redirect their energy to fruit production.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Under a 1988 state law, California’s governor holds the unusual power to approve, deny or modify parole board decisions for people convicted of murder and sentenced to an indeterminate term.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indeterminate
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2025
Vince, who co-founded the Black Rabbit with his brother years ago, has been hiding out in Reno for an indeterminate period, for unambivalent reasons.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Pinch off the growing tips of vining crops, such as indeterminate tomatoes, squash, and melons, to force the plants to redirect their energy to fruit production.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Under a 1988 state law, California’s governor holds the unusual power to approve, deny or modify parole board decisions for people convicted of murder and sentenced to an indeterminate term.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indeterminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indeterminate
Adjective
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Since the fuel is nuclear, this means that Skyfall has an indefinite range – certainly not unlimited – until the propulsion mechanism fails.—
David Szondy
October 26,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
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Head coach Chauncey Billups wasn’t on the sideline for the opener and was placed on indefinite leave after his arrest Thursday on federal gambling charges.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Step 3 Using the chart below, find the calories burned per minute based on your walking speed and approximate body weight.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
27 Oct. 2025
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There has been mounting outside pressure on LSU to make a coaching change at the top, but Kelly's approximate $52 million buyout is prohibitive.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indeterminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indeterminate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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