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
Ali took the motion for a preliminary injunction under advisement but signaled that his decision is not predetermined.
—
Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
Yet the band had predetermined the time frame on the basis of ideas of self-preservation.
—Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
And one benefit of a plot built on relentlessly surreal happenstance is that eventually every new plot development starts to feel like a twist — because nothing is predetermined, and rationality and rigor have already gone out the window.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
While the terms of Gilgeous-Alexander’s summer supermax should be straightforward because the collective bargaining agreement has predetermined contract terms for such deals, the 6-foot-6 guard could run into challenges down the line, such as front office politics or roster construction concerns.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predetermine
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.
Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
Yet the band had predetermined the time frame on the basis of ideas of self-preservation.
—Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
And one benefit of a plot built on relentlessly surreal happenstance is that eventually every new plot development starts to feel like a twist — because nothing is predetermined, and rationality and rigor have already gone out the window.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
While the terms of Gilgeous-Alexander’s summer supermax should be straightforward because the collective bargaining agreement has predetermined contract terms for such deals, the 6-foot-6 guard could run into challenges down the line, such as front office politics or roster construction concerns.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 1 Mar. 2025
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. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share