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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Prosecutors with the Fifth Circuit State Attorney’s Office, which covers several counties including Lake County, are working to determine whether charges are warranted. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 In a settlement agreement reached last year, Conservice agreed to provide any California tenant disputing their bill with copies of invoices and formulas used to determine their specific charges. — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Photos of a coastal funnel cloud were posted on social media Monday, but forecasters have determined those photos are of a storm in Bettie, about 16 miles southwest of Cedar Island. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 However, some scholars have noted that the author, speaker, historical circumstances, and date of composition are difficult to determine since the psalm lacks references to any historical events in ancient Israel. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for determine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for determine

Verb

The 6-foot-3, 170-pound Hayes ultimately decided to continue.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
So Issa decides to bring out the real Paul Baker by inviting over all his bros.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of decide

Verb

Shop the Patio Zen Deck Box in black or gray and choose from 16 capacities ranging from 30 to 320 gallons.

— Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Festivalgoers were never forced to choose between artists, as sets were separated by 10-minute breaks, preventing overlap.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

Much of that is because of Bowers, arguably the most talented tight end league-wide, but also because Mayer has found success in Kubiak’s heavy sets, and Thomas continues to provide value as a blocker.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Red walls, heavy draperies with swags and fringe, and jacquard fabrics with gold accents could be found in many homes.

— Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of find

Verb

Still, several financial analysts have concluded that the prediction frenzy, with its sleek mobile apps and easy-to-understand odds, are driving the stock drops.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
An autonomous attacker does not care what an organization's SPRS score says, whether its dashboard is green or whether an assessment concluded that a control was implemented.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of conclude

Verb

People who settled here have a very bold spirit and a kind of grit that was required to make it.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Separately, New Mexico secured a nearly $1 billion verdict against Meta for creating a public nuisance and exposing minors to harm, prompting Meta to settle with 47 other states for up to $18 billion, though private claims persist.

— Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

Anthropic has seen incredible traction with enterprise customers, and there figures to be considerable overlap between the companies' customer bases.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Nabil and Sliman laughed at how the leather soon stank before Nabil could figure it all out.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of figure

Verb

The sixth-year forward is an athletic rebounder and has learned to fill the gaps created by defenses focusing on Wilson in the frontcourt.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
From the moment Billie learns about Sophie-Rose, the teenager who inherited her legendary fake ID after it was already passed down to multiple other Gen-Z blondes, she’s obsessed.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of learn

Verb

And, there are lots of studies out there that show many in my generation have stopped believing in the promise of the American Dream.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
His government has implemented policies that slow energy permitting and development, canceled billions in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects and spent nearly $4 billion to buy back leases to stop offshore wind projects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stop

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“Determine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determine. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of determine

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