predetermine
verb
pre·de·ter·mine
ˌprē-di-ˈtər-mən 
predetermined; predetermining; predetermines
1
a
b
: to determine beforehand
2
: to impose a direction or tendency on beforehand
Examples of predetermine in a Sentence
The sex of the child is predetermined when the egg is fertilized.
religious sects that believe that an individual's salvation has been predetermined by God
Recent Examples on the Web
The characters in this novel are forced to live in a neoliberal world where their powerlessness is already predetermined, and they’re ignored by society and told to just keep on living.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
When critical decisions occur outside public view, victims who gather the courage to appear in court often feel their voices no longer matter when the result appears predetermined.
—Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Parents and City Council members argued families were brought into the conversation too late and that the outcome appeared predetermined.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Several others accused the state party of attempting to predetermine who advanced to the primary.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predetermine
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Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
When critical decisions occur outside public view, victims who gather the courage to appear in court often feel their voices no longer matter when the result appears predetermined.
—Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Parents and City Council members argued families were brought into the conversation too late and that the outcome appeared predetermined.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Several others accused the state party of attempting to predetermine who advanced to the primary.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predetermine
Cite this Entry
“Predetermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predetermine. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predetermine
verb
pre·de·ter·mine
ˌprēd-i-ˈtər-mən
1
2
: to decide or settle beforehand
meet at a predetermined place
predetermination
noun
-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən
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