determine

[ dih-tur-min ]

/ dɪˈtɜr mɪn /

See synonyms for: determine / determined / determines / determining on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

to settle or decide (a dispute, question, etc.) by an authoritative or conclusive decision.

to conclude or ascertain, as after reasoning, observation, etc.

Geometry. to fix the position of.

to cause, affect, or control; fix or decide causally: Demand for a product usually determines supply.

to give direction or tendency to; impel.

Logic. to limit (a notion) by adding differentiating characteristics.

Chiefly Law. to put an end to; terminate.

to lead or bring (a person) to a decision.

to decide upon.

verb (used without object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

to come to a decision or resolution; decide.

Chiefly Law. to come to an end.

SYNONYMS FOR determine

1 resolve, adjust.

2 verify.

4 influence.

5 induce, lead, incline.

See synonyms for determine on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of determine

1325–75; Middle English determinen<Anglo-French, Old French determiner<Latin dētermināre, equivalent to dē-de- + termināre to bound, limit; see terminate

synonym study for determine

1. See decide.

OTHER WORDS FROM determine

in·ter·de·ter·mine, verb (used with object), in·ter·de·ter·mined, in·ter·de·ter·min·ing.qua·si-de·ter·mine, verb, qua·si-de·ter·mined, qua·si-de·ter·min·ing.re·de·ter·mine, verb, re·de·ter·mined, re·de·ter·min·ing.un·de·ter·min·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for determine

To determine whether a product is truly “green,” you’ll have to look deeper than its earth-toned packaging.
Trying to shop sustainably? Here’s what you need to consider.|Sarah Kaplan|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The average infection rates among these populations determine those points’ placement on the y-axis.
Schools are not spreading covid-19. This new data explains why.|Emily Oster|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Investigators were trying to determine whether officers in the cruiser were chasing the moped.
Federal prosecutors will not press charges against D.C. officer who fatally shot 18-year-old Deon Kay|Keith L. Alexander, Peter Hermann|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Investigators then work with the FBI to build a family tree out from that DNA match, and use traditional detective techniques to determine whether someone in that lineage could be connected to the crime.
Prince George’s will use DNA registries to solve cold cases through new DOJ grant|Katie Mettler|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

Smithsonian officials will monitor guidance from local governments, public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine its reopening strategy, he said.
Smithsonian, National Gallery to close as coronavirus cases spike|Peggy McGlone, Sebastian Smee|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Both Time and CNN reinstated Zakaria after determining the slip-up was “an isolated incident.”
Can Fareed Zakaria Survive A Plagiarism Firestorm?|Lloyd Grove|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He continues to be enthralled not so much by Earhart as by the process of determining what exactly befell her and her aircraft.
How Amelia's Plane Was Found|Michael Daly|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He did not gain access to media reports on the case, the judge established, determining that no further action was required.
Money, Murder, and Adoption: The Wild Trial of the Polo King|Jacqui Goddard|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
More important than determining who deserved credit is appreciating the dynamics that occur when people share ideas.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Police are often given great leeway in determining whether or not to use lethal force, and are rarely indicted for doing so.
Ferguson on Knife Edge of More Violence After Grand Jury Evidence Leak Showing Struggle|Justin Glawe|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But in work of any creative sort, the mood, the condition of mind, is the determining factor.
The Life Radiant|Lilian Whiting
The great difficulty is in determining whether or not there is a defective ancestry in a given stock.
Being Well-Born|Michael F. Guyer
Even health itself is likely to have less influence in determining success in life.
The Measurement of Intelligence|Lewis Madison Terman
The distance between traps is an important factor in determining the efficiency of live-trapping.
A Population Study of the Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster) in Northeastern Kansas|Edwin P. Martin
They are the dominant factors in determining that America shall be one of the two great centers of civilization.
The Red Man's Continent|Ellsworth Huntington

British Dictionary definitions for determine

determine

/ (dɪˈtɜːmɪn) /

verb

to settle or decide (an argument, question, etc) conclusively, as by referring to an authority

(tr) to ascertain or conclude, esp after observation or consideration

(tr) to shape or influence; give direction toexperience often determines ability

(tr) to fix in scope, extent, variety, etcthe river determined the edge of the property

to make or cause to make a decisionhe determined never to marry

(tr) logic to define or limit (a notion) by adding or requiring certain features or characteristics

(tr) geometry to fix or specify the position, form, or configuration oftwo points determine a line

mainly law to come or bring to an end, as an estate or interest in land

(tr) to decide (a legal action or dispute)

Word Origin for determine

C14: from Old French determiner, from Latin dētermināre to set boundaries to, from de- + termināre to limit; see terminate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with determine

determine

see bound and determined.

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determine

verb (used with object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

verb (used without object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

SYNONYMS FOR determine

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LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of determine

synonym study for determine

OTHER WORDS FROM determine

Example sentences from the Web for determine

British Dictionary definitions for determine

verb

Word Origin for determine

Idioms and Phrases with determine

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

determine

verb (used with object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

verb (used without object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

SYNONYMS FOR determine

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of determine

synonym study for determine

OTHER WORDS FROM determine

Words related to determine

Example sentences from the Web for determine

British Dictionary definitions for determine

verb

Word Origin for determine

Idioms and Phrases with determine