as in factor
formal
a thing that controls or influences what happens
—often + of
Level of education is often a determinant of income.
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Recent Examples of determinant
Co-occurring mental health concerns often drive substance use, and social determinants such as housing stability, employment, access to care, and systemic inequities strongly shape outcomes.
—
Gwilym Roddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
According to an emerging school of thought associated with Spanish exercise physiologist Iñigo San Millán, lactate levels are a key marker of mitochondrial health, which in turn is an important determinant of metabolic flexibility.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026
Biologists generally explain that DNA is not the sole determinant of an animal’s traits.
—Ryan Brennan
march 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Plus there are topics in precalculus such as matrices, determinants, vectors and solving nonlinear systems of equations that students don’t need for Calculus I.
—Tammi Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for determinant
Gwilym Roddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
According to an emerging school of thought associated with Spanish exercise physiologist Iñigo San Millán, lactate levels are a key marker of mitochondrial health, which in turn is an important determinant of metabolic flexibility.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026
Biologists generally explain that DNA is not the sole determinant of an animal’s traits.
—Ryan Brennan
march 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Plus there are topics in precalculus such as matrices, determinants, vectors and solving nonlinear systems of equations that students don’t need for Calculus I.
—Tammi Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for determinant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determinant
Noun
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Winds are another factor, especially higher in the atmosphere, where strong or changing speeds can affect a rocket’s stability.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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These two factors have been a competitive advantage for Davines, which has built a global business serving the sustained appetite of customers for natural and professional beauty products.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That was the backdrop for the Supreme Court’s consideration of Wong Kim Ark’s status.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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The new law lays out several overarching protections for children that might seem obvious, such as the right to live in a safe and healthy environment, and appropriate safety considerations in visitation and placement decisions.—
Shannon Tyler
March 27,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Determinant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determinant. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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