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 researchers now want to determine whether the technique can move beyond connecting just two DNA fragments at a time.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026
The signal helps determine whether an action by the company is needed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
But the warning raised doubts about the rigour of the study that was submitted to various regulatory authorities to determine whether it should be authorised for sale.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine what may have caused the two vehicles to crash into each other.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
After much thinking, she could determine on nothing better, than Harriet’s returning the visit; but in a way that, if they had understanding, should convince them that it was to be only a formal acquaintance.
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
For cosmology, gravity determines how matter behaves across enormous distances.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 18, 2026
But as important is the emperor’s-new-clothes effect, which determines when it’s personally advantageous to ignore plainly obvious realities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 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
But the NFL could still take action if it determines one or both violated the league’s personal-conduct policy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
Dobzhansky could now restate the essential truth of Mendel’s discovery—a gene determines a physical feature—by generalizing that idea across multiple genes and multiple features: a genotype determines a phenotype.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
The manner of death, when determined, can be ruled a homicide, suicide, accident or natural.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
It said that it was cooperating with authorities and that the cause hadn’t been determined.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Tielemans has composure, an excellent passing range, and is determined to increase his goals output.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Both Kissei and Amgen said the deaths included cases for which no causal link to the medicine could be determined.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
“Every season, cattlemen drive thousands of cows north to Oklahoma,” Father says, determined.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The team discovered that electrical charge is a key factor in determining whether antibody fragments can remain stable and functional inside cells.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
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
There are many factors that go into determining how much of an impact eliminating the tax cap would have on the Social Security’s bottom line.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
The company which owns and operates the pager network said it provides encrypted paging and secure messaging solutions, with "customers determining how those services are deployed".
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Succinct, yet magisterial, this formula captured the essence of the interactions between heredity, chance, environment, variation, and evolution in determining the form and fate of an organism.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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!
