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 McClellan Oscillator, an indicator developed by McClellan’s parents, is the final criteria necessary to determine whether the Omen triggered or not.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026
"A rapid assessment is currently underway to determine the number of casualties and the extent of the impact. We will provide that information after the data has been verified."
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
The club’s six membership committee members determine the nominees.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
“I just think that when sculptures are known for doing that kind of work, experts can determine who did what.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
To understand the parabola, Archimedes had to learn how to measure it; for instance, nobody knew how to determine the area of a section of a parabola.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
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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
The commission then determines whether the station has “served the public interest” and has not run afoul of the “rules and regulations of the Commission.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
"As long as a single test determines access to scarce opportunities, there will be strong incentives for exam malpractice, regardless of the testing format," he said.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
This is why it is gravity that determines the evolution of the universe.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
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The Secret Service and the FBI later determined that Trump was in no danger.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Mangione is to be sentenced at a separate hearing on Dec. 18, which will be determined at the full discretion of the judge.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
Macron's office said after the ruling that the French government would work "as quickly as possible" to propose a new draft and said the president was determined to see the reform implemented by early 2027.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Officials are actively investigating the identity of the remains, and the cause death will be determined by the county medical examiner’s office.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
“I’m sure they are, and they’re very fortunate to have a father as determined as you are,” President Davis said.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
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The challenge was determining exactly where the immune cells inside the brain had originated.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
“While we believe all artists have creative choice in determining how they present themselves, Spotify’s programming is focused on elevating music from authentic artists building careers in music,” the company said .
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Coast Guard investigators are also determining whether the boat was illegally chartered.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
They exert an outsize role in determining mortgage-underwriting standards, and they are using that power to get condos, many of which are growing old, to set aside more money for physical upkeep.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
For one thing, the problem of determining how much is queen and how much queenly radiation.
From "Grendel" by John Gardner
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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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