predetermine

[ pree-di-tur-min ]

/ ˌpri dɪˈtɜr mɪn /

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See synonyms for: predetermine / predetermined on Thesaurus.com

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

to settle or decide in advance: He had predetermined his answer to the offer.

to ordain in advance; predestine: She believed that God had predetermined her sorrow.

to direct or impel; influence strongly: His sympathy for poor people predetermined his choice of a career.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of predetermine

First recorded in 1615–25; pre- + determine

OTHER WORDS FROM predetermine

pre·de·ter·mi·na·tion, nounpre·de·ter·mi·na·tive

[pree-di-tur-muh-ney-tiv, -nuh-tiv], /ˌpri dɪˈtɜr məˌneɪ tɪv, -nə tɪv/, adjective

Words nearby predetermine

predestination paradox, predestinator, predestine, predestined, predeterminate, predetermine, predeterminer, prediabetes, predial, predicable, predicament

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use predetermine in a sentence

Also, solar arrays are positioned to collect power based upon this predetermined attitude.
Russian module suddenly fires thrusters after docking with space station|Eric Berger|July 29, 2021|Ars Technica
In that case, the vine might be detecting scent compounds from the bush and changing the shape of its leaves in a way that was genetically predetermined.
Plants Feel Pain and Might Even See - Issue 104: Harmony|Peter Wohlleben|July 21, 2021|Nautilus
Conditions had escalated Saturday, prompting firefighters to stop working and retreat to predetermined safety zones, officials said.
Bootleg Fire rages in Oregon, burning 50 structures and threatening California’s power supply|Paulina Firozi, Reis Thebault, Bryan Pietsch|July 13, 2021|Washington Post
My one gripe was that I had to click around to predetermined points on the ground.
VR exercise app ‘VZfit’ overwhelms the senses in all the wrong ways|Mike Hume|April 22, 2021|Washington Post

The “other” category includes items some districts submitted separate from the predetermined categories.
How San Diego’s 10 Largest Districts Spent Millions in Coronavirus Aid|Ashly McGlone|April 19, 2021|Voice of San Diego
The impulse given by each must be exactly estimated in order to predetermine the joint effect.
The Criminal Prosecution and Capital Punishment of Animals|Edmund P. Evans
To conceive and desire the best is to attempt the ideal, is to predetermine the path that all succeeding generations shall tread.
The Non-religion of the Future: A Sociological Study|Jean-Marie Guyau
Yet let no young woman predetermine that hers may not be an exception to the general law.
The Young Maiden|A. B. (Artemas Bowers) Muzzey
Robinson gives as its meaning, to set bounds before, to predetermine, spoken of the eternal decrees and counsels of God.
The Doctrines of Predestination, Reprobation, and Election|Robert Wallace
They then have a will and a way of their own; a free-will which their creator cannot predetermine and correct.
The Heart of Mid-Lothian, Vol. 1., Illustrated|Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for predetermine

predetermine

/ (ˌpriːdɪˈtɜːmɪn) /

verb (tr)

to determine beforehand

to influence or incline towards an opinion beforehand; bias

Derived forms of predetermine

predetermination, nounpredeterminative, adjectivepredeterminer, noun

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

predetermine

Origin of predetermine

OTHER WORDS FROM predetermine

Words nearby predetermine

Words related to predetermine

How to use predetermine in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for predetermine

Derived forms of predetermine