determine
Usage
What are other ways to say determine?
To determine is to arrive at a conclusion after reasoning or observation: He determined that there was no available path to victory. To resolve is to show firmness of purpose: He resolved to ask for a promotion. To decide is to make up one's mind as to what shall be done and the way to do it: He decided to go today.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The report says the Census Bureau matched the Data-Clear voter files with federal immigration records to determine if people were citizens and eligible to vote.
From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026
Yet researchers have struggled for years to determine exactly how the material responds under such extreme conditions because laboratory measurements and computer simulations have produced conflicting results.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
Organisers say they are working with Athletics Canada and other partners to determine how this year's results can be recognised.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
The team hopes that data from two complete orbits will allow them to determine the star's trajectory with enough precision they can also directly measure the black hole's rotation.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Ugly, shiny bluebottles darted by me, as if trying to determine whether I was a tasty morsel, too.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
According to Ben Snider and his portfolio strategy research team, what determines stock market returns for this asset class at present are prospects for the AI trade.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
For cosmology, gravity determines how matter behaves across enormous distances.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 18, 2026
A firm opening date has not been set as the department determines what infrastructure needs to be repaired or built at the park.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
But footage from shootings or incidents resulting in death or serious injury will be released promptly only when ICE determines doing so is in the agency’s “best interests,” according to the policy.
From Salon ● Aug. 8, 2026
“The serum connects you to the program,” he says, “but the program determines whose landscape you go through. And right now, it’s set to put us through mine.”
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
The researchers also determined that the lasting effect did not result from changes to the gut microbiome itself.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026
The cause of the crash hadn’t been determined.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Additional bones were discovered shortly after, and authorities determined they belonged to the same person.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
"I remind everyone that I was born in South Africa. I have applied through the proper legal channels to have my status and citizenship determined," she said.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
It’s not every day you wake up with a mission on your mind, but I had a mission and I was determined to accomplish it.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Quinn Yeargain, a professor of the law of democracy at Michigan State University College of Law, said Median’s intent would be a decisive factor in determining whether any laws were broken.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
Treasurys play a major role in determining borrowing costs across the economy, including 30-year mortgages.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
The challenge was determining exactly where the immune cells inside the brain had originated.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
There are many factors that go into determining how much of an impact eliminating the tax cap would have on the program’s bottom line.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
Strong character, high courage, hard work—it seemed that none of these were determining factors in the fates of Tex John’s children.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
Vocabulary lists containing determine
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary of the Common Core
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
