PREDETERMINATION Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

predetermination

noun

Definition of predetermination

as in theory

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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 predetermination The presiding judge granted Sweeney's attorney's request to change the charge to second-degree murder or manslaughter as the court lacked sufficient evidence to try him for first-degree murder since predetermination was not established. — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 He was also accused of failing to respect and comply with the law by denying due process to litigants and lawyers and demonstrating a bias or predetermination for certain cases. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025 From there we’re introduced to the Time Variance Authority where Loki is taken for messing with predetermination—a strict timeline set up by the powerful and mysterious Time Keepers—and introduced to Agent Mobius (Owen Wilson). — Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 June 2021 Both seasons of The Umbrella Academy raise questions about the nature of time travel (as presented in the series) and the tension between choice and predetermination. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Aug. 2020 There is comfort in subsuming your sense of individuality to a larger sentiment of prescription and predetermination. — Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2019 Yet the movie has a mythic thrust that’s partly due to its almost playful manipulation of time, its silent flash-forwards lending the story a feeling of futility and predetermination. — Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for predetermination

Noun

One of my favorite moments comes when an excited classmate emerges from the library holding a new book of feminist literary theory.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Annie Dillard, the author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Holy the Firm, An American Childhood, and many other major works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and theory, died at the age of 81 on September 15 at her home in Massachusetts.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of theory

Noun

Flanagan didn’t want to approach any character with an automatic presumption of villainy, especially Margaret.

— Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
The simple answer would be that presents used to be associated only with first weddings, with the presumption that the couple was starting a first home, whereas previously married people already had stuff.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of presumption

Noun

And archaeologists not involved with the study are wary of making assumptions as to why ancient people were attracted to betel nuts.

— Pien Huang, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
Both our indignation when the wicked flourish and our sorrow when the righteous suffer have their source in this assumption.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of assumption

Noun

That was when the police began to seriously consider the hypothesis that the blood was entering the washing machine from somewhere else.

— Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
This kind of attempt to observe without tackling with hypotheses and conjectures and theories, right?

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of hypothesis

Noun

Could Kleist’s conjecture provide a key to their seeming vacancy, their resignation, their helplessness, suggesting that in their benighted condition lies spiritual perfection?

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The Perfect Recipe The proof of the conjecture would require a way to closely connect the bread and cheese of any sandwich.

— Paulina Rowińska, Quanta Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of conjecture

Noun

Bessent's Treasury Department is ratcheting up pressure on financial institutions as part of its effort to choke off trade and financial flows between Iran and rest of the world, fueling speculation that Chinese banks could be targeted.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
But after days of speculation about Merz’s future, there were no prominent public calls Monday for his departure and no sign of a challenge.

— Geir Moulson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of speculation

Noun

Investors who are still hanging in can anchor to the 200-day at $240 as the line that keeps the longer-term thesis intact.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
There’s always been this idea of not viewing hip-hop through that same business lens, and that’s really one of the theses of this book.

— Alex Gonzalez, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of thesis

Noun

But that was our supposition, not hers, even if borrowing the single’s title for the whole project did seem to make a promise the full record isn’t prepared to deliver on.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Many are leaning into their own unsubstantiated suppositions, even those not backed by evidence.

— Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of supposition

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“Predetermination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predetermination. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of predetermination

noun

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