determined

1 of 2

adjective

de·​ter·​mined di-ˈtər-mənd How to pronounce determined (audio)
dē-
Synonyms of determined
1
: having reached a decision : firmly resolved
was determined to become a pilot
is determined not to let it happen again
2
a
: showing determination
a determined effort
b
: characterized by determination
… will deter all but the most determined thief.—Security World
determinedly
di-ˈtər-mənd-lē How to pronounce determined (audio)
-mə-nəd-lē, 
dē-
adverb
determinedness
di-ˈtər-mənd-nəs How to pronounce determined (audio)
dē-
noun

determined

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of determine

Synonyms of determined

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of determined in a Sentence

Adjective We are making a determined effort to correct our mistakes. his determined opponent would not be bluffed or shaken
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
With his newfound resolve/death wish, Jacob is determined to keep his sister’s and nephew’s killers on that bridge until backup arrives. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 The National Hurricane Center has a set number of lists, which include one pre-determined name for every letter of the alphabet, that are used on a rotational basis, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 In a fun wrinkle worth mentioning, if there is a tie at the conclusion of group play, a playoff will take place to determine who will advance, instead of any sort of margin-of-victory tiebreaker or any others determined on paper. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency says the incident was initially determined to have been caused by operator fatigue. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for determined

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see determine

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of determined was circa 1616

Phrases Containing determined

Rhymes for determined

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Browse Nearby Words

determine
determined
determiner
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Determined.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determined. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

determined

adjective
de·​ter·​mined di-ˈtər-mənd How to pronounce determined (audio)
1
: having reached a decision : firmly resolved
determined to be a pilot
2
: not weak or uncertain
a very determined opponent
determinedly
-mən-dlē How to pronounce determined (audio)
-mə-nəd-lē
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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