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

If residents couldn’t make it to these, there were predetermined “public temporary refuge areas” within each neighborhood, such as street intersections and homes with large cleared backyards, that provide some increased chance of survival.

From Los Angeles Times

They have taken a similar tone in the wake of the indictment, but suggest that their colleagues should not predetermine Bragg’s motives before launching investigations.

From Washington Post

They simply asked it to answer a set of 10 predetermined questions from patients in a certain number of words.

From Scientific American

Robert Wood, accusing Russia of trying to "discredit the work of ongoing national investigations and prejudice any conclusions they reach that do not comport to Russia's predetermined and political narrative."

From Reuters

Eight divisions have a single judge, giving litigants who file there nearly a 100 percent chance of getting a predetermined judge, something that Vladeck said should worry people across the political spectrum.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• predispose