1
as in deciding
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
a three-member panel will determine the case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in figuring
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration
trying to determine which direction we were facing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in finding
to come upon after searching, study, or effort
we failed to determine the answer to the riddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stopping
to come to an end
your participation in the savings plan determines with the termination of your employment here
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in settling
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
your choice of college could determine the rest of your life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of determining
This draft class will go a long way toward determining whether Glenn and Mougey stick around beyond 2026.
—
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
So home viewers should make sure to be looking at the streaming listings when determining when to tune in.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Official scorekeepers have an active hand in determining when players make an error, giving them a power that doesn’t exist in other major sports.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
While the mayor secured support from Police Chief Manuel Morales and Miami Fire-Rescue Chief Robert Hevia, the City Commission is ultimately the gatekeeper in determining what lands on the ballot.
—Tess Riski
april 24, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Seeking the perfect target The Curiosity rover landed in Gale Crater on Mars in 2012 with the goal of determining whether the planet were ever habitable.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
To hit the revenue target of $500 million a year for the new tax, city officials will likely have to create a new system for determining market values, according to experts.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
For Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, determining the best way to approach Kornet’s rest minutes will be paramount in Game 3.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
Running for the competitive seat in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, Feely’s race is crucial to determining the political makeup of Congress in November’s election.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
So home viewers should make sure to be looking at the streaming listings when determining when to tune in.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Official scorekeepers have an active hand in determining when players make an error, giving them a power that doesn’t exist in other major sports.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
While the mayor secured support from Police Chief Manuel Morales and Miami Fire-Rescue Chief Robert Hevia, the City Commission is ultimately the gatekeeper in determining what lands on the ballot.
—Tess Riski
april 24, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Seeking the perfect target The Curiosity rover landed in Gale Crater on Mars in 2012 with the goal of determining whether the planet were ever habitable.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
To hit the revenue target of $500 million a year for the new tax, city officials will likely have to create a new system for determining market values, according to experts.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
For Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, determining the best way to approach Kornet’s rest minutes will be paramount in Game 3.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
Running for the competitive seat in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, Feely’s race is crucial to determining the political makeup of Congress in November’s election.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for determining
Verb
-
Consult with two or three other legal representatives before deciding whom to use.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Brown, however, opted against inserting McBride into the starting lineup, instead deciding to stick with Bridges, who is averaging just seven points on 25% shooting from 3-point range this series.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Working with the Calling All Dreamers advisors, Christine Wonderson is figuring how to break the business down into more achievable chunks, rather than trying to do everything at once.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen will need to step up, with Alex Vesia also figuring to factor into Roberts’ late-inning plans.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gabriel, a 5-11 quarterback with middling arm strength, will have a difficult time finding that same opportunity.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Desperation under dire circumstances didn’t stop the Lakers from finding their lifeline in a 112-108 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets, winning the 5-minute extra period 11-7 after a stunning comeback in the final minute of regulation.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That led many to believe that, while treatments and crisis care are vital, the goal of suicide prevention needs to expand beyond stopping people from dying to also giving them reasons to live.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Baltimore sues pharmaceutical companies In 208, Baltimore sued several drug makers and pharmaceutical companies, often settling before reaching a trial.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Notify creditors and allow time for claims to be filed before settling debts.—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Walk all around the plant to check that it is centered and straight, judging by the lowest 2 or 3 feet of a tree’s trunk.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And judging by the steady stream of locals who stop by, that approach seems to be working.—
Tristan Graziano,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Local water is also more reliable, even though predicting rain in the Mediterranean climate of Southern California is about as easy as choosing a winning Super Lotto number.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Dolphins doubled down on Red Raiders prospects after, earlier Friday, choosing Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with their lone second-round pick.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The building will have a gym, a gross motor room with play equipment for the youngest students, a two-story library with reading nooks, a learning hub able to accommodate two classes at a time, and an outdoor area with patio furniture.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Dex’s focus on AI software developers and machine learning engineers has helped the company win over a clutch of high-profile recruiting leaders.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Determining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/determining. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
