as in theory
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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
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
-
An alternative theory is that Vermeer employed one of his daughters, Maria, as the model.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Nichols was ready to share with jurors his theory of what happened to Kim Langwell the evening she was murdered.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Meantime, all presumption of innocence from me.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This notion was based on outdated presumptions of hillforts as being occupied by violent, prehistoric savages.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The cut is purportedly because of an assumption that online classes cost less than in-person classes, but was introduced at the last minute, with no data to support the claim.—
Jill Penn,
AJC.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise, Dutcher is operating under the assumption that those not in the portal on Tuesday intend to return; SDSU officials are finalizing revenue-sharing contracts with them.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Then a perusal of several studies that spanned decades and oceans made my hypothesis cloudy enough to blot out that April Fools’ Day moon.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Even as a unifying hypothesis was forming, the disease remained an enigma.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, money market account interest rates are variable, so some conjecture will be required when trying to calculate the interest-earning capacity of an $80,000 deposit.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Network executives emphasized that unless Woods or his team publicly address his situation, broadcasters will avoid discussing unconfirmed details or engaging in conjecture.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Either way, the years of speculation have added to Bitcoin’s profile and acted as a useful indirect marketing tool.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
9 Apr. 2026
-
There’s also been speculation that this BBL is the reason why certain celebrities are suddenly appearing quite refreshed.—
Taryn Brooke,
Allure,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the bearish thesis appears to be priced in.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
-
From thesis to platform The project began as an undergraduate thesis by David Bershadsky.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Zlotnikov wrote that the condition was likely caused by a mutation that had occurred very early in embryonic development, a supposition that was confirmed decades later by genetic analysis.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The past eight months have exposed both suppositions.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predetermination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predetermination. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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