Synonyms of determine

determine

verb

di-ˈtər-mən 

1

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

• decide
• settle
• judge
• adjudicate
• consider
• arbitrate
• resolve
• adjudge
• rule (on)
• prosecute
• hear
• weigh
• conclude
• deem
• ponder
• try
• referee
• umpire
• mediate
• negotiate
• deliberate
• find (for or against)
• moderate
• redetermine
• size up
• rejudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hedge
• equivocate
• skirt
• pussyfoot

2

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

• decide
• choose
• figure
• opt
• resolve
• find
• settle (on or upon)
• conclude
• select
• pick
• rule
• elect
• name
• adjudicate
• prefer
• arbitrate
• decree
• adjudge
• think (about or over)
• rule (on)
• ponder
• contemplate
• weigh
• consider
• judge
• cull
• handpick
• single (out)
• study
• deliberate
• debate
• entertain
• meditate
• question
• mull (over)
• ruminate
• cogitate
• referee
• umpire
• chew over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• abstain
• turn down
• delay
• hesitate
• halt
• temporize
• stall
• vacillate
• waver
• waffle
• shilly-shally

3

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort

we failed to determine the answer to the riddle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• find
• learn
• discover
• locate
• ascertain
• get
• detect
• find out
• track (down)
• hit (on or upon)
• run down
• dig out
• dig up
• turn up
• hunt (down or up)
• dredge (up)
• scout (up)
• rout (out)
• ferret (out)
• root (out)
• descry
• scare up
• rummage
• spot
• nose out
• seek
• sight
• look for
• search (for or out)
• espy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• overlook
• pass over
• lose
• misplace
• mislay
• misset

4

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

• conclude
• stop
• cease
• end
• expire
• halt
• terminate
• pass
• go
• finish
• close
• die
• discontinue
• elapse
• let up
• wind up
• lapse
• leave off
• break off
• stall
• break up
• quit
• wink (out)
• bite the dust
• suspend
• refrain (from)
• desist (from)
• dead-end
• lay off (of)
• cut out
• pause
• stay
• pack (up or in)
• break down
• give over
• abate
• knock off
• wind down
• peter (out)
• conk (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• persist
• hang on
• extend
• prolong
• draw out
• protract

5

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

• decide
• settle
• clarify
• define
• prove
• clinch
• establish
• ensure
• assure
• insure
• demonstrate
• specify
• show
• affirm
• nail
• secure
• illuminate
• state
• stipulate
• conclude
• nail (down)
• end
• clear (up)
• finish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• muddy
• unsettle
• muddle

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

Recent Examples of determine

Then the East’s play-in game between the loser of the Magic-Hawks matchup and the winner of the Bulls-Heat game will be played on Friday in either Orlando or Atlanta and aired on TNT at a time still to be determined. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025

Currently, there is no data on the containment status of the fire and the cause has yet to be determined. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Federal and local authorities are still working to determine the cause of the crash. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025

The two winning teams will go on to the final round, while the other two teams will face off in a consolation matchup to determine third place overall. —Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025