DETERMINE Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'determine' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of determine are decide , resolve , rule , and settle . While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something. // determined the cause of the problem

Q: When is it sensible to use 'decide' instead of 'determine'?

The words decide and determine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy. // she decided to sell her house

Q: When might 'resolve' be a better fit than 'determine'?

The synonyms resolve and determine are sometimes interchangeable, but resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something. // he resolved to quit smoking

Q: When would 'rule' be a good substitute for 'determine'?

The meanings of rule and determine largely overlap; however, rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority. // the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

Q: When can 'settle' be used instead of 'determine'?

Although the words settle and determine have much in common, settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty. // the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

determine

verb

di-ˈtər-mən

Definition of determine

as in to decide

to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute) a three-member panel will determine the case

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to choose

to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration trying to determine which direction we were facing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort we failed to determine the answer to the riddle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to conclude

to come to an end your participation in the savings plan determines with the termination of your employment here

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to settle

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute your choice of college could determine the rest of your life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb determine differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of determine are decide, resolve, rule, and settle. While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

When is it sensible to use decide instead of determine?

The words decide and determine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

When might resolve be a better fit than determine?

The synonyms resolve and determine are sometimes interchangeable, but resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

When would rule be a good substitute for determine?

The meanings of rule and determine largely overlap; however, rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

When can settle be used instead of determine?

Although the words settle and determine have much in common, settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of determine Detectives investigating the incident determined that the 10-year-old had allegedly shot the baby, and he was taken into custody, police said. — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 1 July 2026 Investigators later determined the teen had distant family members in Colorado. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026 When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Factors that determined the ranking included the availability of co-working spaces, internet speeds, and typical summer temperatures. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for determine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine

Verb

Both Swift and Kelce decided to forgo bridesmaids and groomsmen, per a statement shared with People.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 July 2026
Later, Swift revealed that she was charmed by Kelce’s willingness to court her so publicly and decided to give him a chance.

— Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 4 July 2026

Definition of decide

Verb

The Kings chose to hold Emanuel Sharp, Adam Flagler and Jonathan Mogbo out of Monday’s game, but Acuff, Clifford and Cardwell returned to the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s win over Golden State.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
If an island getaway is favored, there are plenty of options across the globe to choose from, all with pristine beaches and seaside charm.

— Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

Gas stations across Russia are imposing limits on purchases, CNN’s analysis found, with fuel- tracking websites popping up to guide drivers to the best spots to fill up.

— Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The incident happened less than a week after another child was found dead inside a car at a Plantation early learning center last Monday.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of find

Verb

Gendron said his ancestors were among the first outsiders to settle the island in the 1700s, when three brothers, fur traders all, left Canada and followed the Mississippi south.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
The space is cozy and laid back, with an atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in for a drink or two.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

There was success, attention, expectation - and underneath it, a girl still figuring herself out.

— Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Going back to the books, the cocoon periods after each tragedy were periods of vulnerability, figuring things out and trying to survive, and that’s incredibly satisfying to play.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 July 2026

Definition of figure

Verb

Hawkins, 38, will end his 13-year run as Officer Kevin Atwater on the popular NBC show during the show's upcoming Season 14 in October, USA TODAY has learned.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Sensors read a physiological signal, feed it back in real time, and the user learns to nudge it in a calmer direction.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026

Definition of learn

Verb

When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Making new friends isn’t something that has to stop at a certain point in your life.

— Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of stop

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“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of determine

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