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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 indeterminate
Similarly, Urbano’s gigantic tableau vivant calls up an indeterminate realm that contains both truth and fiction—in this case, not only to materialize allegorical motifs but also to comment on changing notions of masculinity, gender, and the patriarchal inheritance of art and architecture.
—
Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
In a fraction of people with this phenomenon, called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential — CHIP, for short — these cells can transform into cancers such as leukemia, though most will remain benign.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
Either way, bush-type or determinate growing plants are usually easier to keep inside than large, indeterminate, or vining varieties of tomatoes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
Many are small mammals (mice, raccoons, assorted rodents) while some are simply indeterminate cute little beings.
—Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indeterminate
Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
In a fraction of people with this phenomenon, called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential — CHIP, for short — these cells can transform into cancers such as leukemia, though most will remain benign.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
Either way, bush-type or determinate growing plants are usually easier to keep inside than large, indeterminate, or vining varieties of tomatoes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025
Many are small mammals (mice, raccoons, assorted rodents) while some are simply indeterminate cute little beings.
—Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indeterminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indeterminate
Adjective
-
The situation has the potential to impact many Americans – including travelers, boaters, storm victims and tens of thousands of DHS employees – for an indefinite period of time.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In 2014, the Navy threatened to court-martial one of its nurses at Guantánamo who refused to force-feed prisoners on hunger strike, who were protesting inhumane treatment and indefinite detention.—
Amy Maxmen,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Deputies who are in a pursuit are required to drive with lights and sirens on, and the initial deputy must communicate the start of a pursuit and its reason, the exact location and direction of travel and approximate speeds and traffic conditions, according to BSO’s policy.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Still, rates right now remain competitive, and they're not expected to drop substantially anytime soon, allowing savers to establish an approximate idea of their future earnings.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indeterminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indeterminate. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
