predetermine

American  

[pree-di-tur-min] / ˌpri dɪˈtɜr mɪn /

verb (used with object)

predetermined, predetermining

1. to settle or decide in advance.

   He had predetermined his answer to the offer.

2. to ordain in advance; predestine.

   She believed that God had predetermined her sorrow.

3. to direct or impel; influence strongly.

   His sympathy for poor people predetermined his choice of a career.

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predetermine British  

/ ˌpriːdɪˈtɜːmɪn /

verb

1. to determine beforehand

2. to influence or incline towards an opinion beforehand; bias

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Other Word Forms

• predetermination noun
• predeterminative adjective
• predeterminer noun

Etymology

Origin of predetermine

First recorded in 1615–25; pre- + determine

Example Sentences

It insists it won’t enter talks under pressure to sign up to outcomes predetermined by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Regarding the latter allegation, Carreon said in the lawsuit that HR representatives appeared to pose questions as predetermined conclusions when they interviewed her.

From The Wall Street Journal

If the stock falls below the put strike price, investors can either buy the stock at that predetermined price or adjust the put to avoid assignment.

From Barron's

These are unregulated power markets where the cost of generation is determined by supply and demand as opposed to a predetermined return on equity.

From Barron's

The basics of a no-spend—or low-spend, depending on your personal definition—challenge are just that: for a predetermined period of time, you abstain from nonessential purchases.

From Salon

Related Words

• predispose