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:
"While it appears likely the algal bloom has impacted cuttlefish numbers, researchers are working to determine whether this contributed to the reduced population or was just one of the potential impacts."
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Crucially, adult cuttlefish only live about 12 to 18 months, Katz said, "so the success of one breeding season is going to determine the population next year".
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Importantly, the polygenic risk measured in the study remained low and cannot determine whether any particular person will eventually develop Alzheimer's disease.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 29, 2026
Astronomers will use those observations to build large catalogs and then apply physical models to determine what those catalogs reveal about the structure and evolution of the universe.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026
Like the other patients at Carville, she submits to monthly tests to determine if the disease is still present or if it’s been “arrested”—the term used to describe continued absence of infection.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
It receives signals from throughout the brain, determines which information is most important, and helps coordinate the appropriate response.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
And with left tackle Alaric Jackson possibly facing a suspension if the NFL determines that he violated the league’s personal conduct policy, Trost could be counted on immediately.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
Your cost of living now likely determines your cost of living in retirement.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 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
Always remember, though, that it is the actual distance in half steps between the notes that determines the type of interval, not whether the notes are written as natural, sharp, or double-sharp.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
In short, we determined that bankruptcy does give people a fresh start, but getting that reprieve takes longer than the law’s intent.
From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026
The cause of death for Eric Valencia, 37, was determined to be extreme heat, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026
In exchange, the National Park Service would receive land of equal value in another part of California that has yet to be determined.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
Each was determined to overthrow the others and consolidate power.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 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
What remains stubbornly difficult is determining what any individual piece of information should mean to the person deciding what to put in her cart.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026
Nvidia said the Groq 3 LPX “is purpose-built to extend Vera Rubin’s interactivity—the rate at which tokens are generated for an individual user, determining how quickly an agent can complete each step of its work.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
"Our findings reveal that the Earth's interior preconditions landscapes to glaciation, determining when and where major climate transitions like the glaciation of Antarctica become possible," explained Prof Gernon.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
He’ll be a critical part of the Chargers’ offense and a major factor in determining whether the franchise can get over the playoff hump.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Entropy is a way of measuring just how disordered that state is and of determining the likelihood of particular outcomes with further shuffles.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
Vocabulary lists containing determine
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Vocabulary of the Common Core
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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