determine[verb]Synonyms:- settle, conclude, decide, end, finish, ordain, regulate
- find out, ascertain, detect, discover, learn, verify, work out
- decide, choose, elect, make up one's mind, resolve
Related Words: fix,
set,
settle,
bias,
dispose,
incline,
predispose,
actuate,
drive,
impel,
move,
induce,
persuade
English Thesaurus: decide, make up your mind, choose to do something, make a decision, resolve, ... [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
de‧ter‧mine W2 /dɪˈtɜːmən, dɪˈtɜːmɪn $ -ɜːr-/
verb [transitive] [
Word Family: adjective:
determined,
indeterminate,
predetermined;
noun:
determination,
determiner;
verb:
determine;
adverb: determinedly]
[
Date: 1300-1400;
Language: Old French;
Origin: determiner, from Latin terminus 'edge, limit']
1. to find out the facts about something
Synonym : establish:
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.determine how/what/who etc The aim of the inquiry was to determine what had caused the accident.determine that Experts have determined that the signature was forged.2. if something determines something else, it directly influences or decides it:
The amount of available water determines the number of houses that can be built. The age of a wine is a determining factor as to how it tastes.determine how/whether/what etc How hard the swimmers work now will determine how they perform in the Olympics.3. to officially decide something:
The date of the court case has not yet been determined.determine how/what/who etc The tests will help the doctors determine what treatment to use.4. determine to do something formal to decide to do something:
We determined to leave at once. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
decide to make a choice to do something:
We decided to send our son to a boarding school. I decided to go home early.make up your mind to decide something, especially after thinking about it for a long time.
Make up your mind is less formal than
decide and is mainly used in spoken English:
Have you made up your mind about where you’ll go on holiday?choose to do something to decide to do something – especially when this is different from what people expect or tell you to do:
She chose to ignore my advice. More young couples are choosing not to marry.make a decision to decide after thinking carefully about something, especially about something that is very important:
They made a decision not to have children.resolve formal to decide that you will definitely do something, especially because you think it will be better for you, or because of your past experiences:
She resolved to work hard at school.determine formal to officially decide what something shall be:
Each hospital can determine its own pay rates.come down in favour of something British English,
come down in favor of something American English to decide to support a particular plan, argument etc – used especially about groups of people:
Eight of the ten committee members came down in favour of the changes.come to/reach a decision to officially decide about something important after discussing and carefully considering it - used especially about groups of people:
After two hours of discussion, the comittee had still not come to a decision on any of the proposals.determination the quality of continuing to try to do something, even when it is difficult:
Bill got where he is today by sheer hard work and determination. I really admired her determination to live her own life.willpower the ability to control your mind and body in order to achieve something you have decided to do:
It takes a lot of willpower to give up smoking. She made herself get better by sheer willpower, when everyone else had given up hope.drive the determination and energy to succeed, especially in business or work:
We’re looking for young people who have drive, initiative, and new ideas. He’s clever enough, but he lacks drive.perseverance the ability to continue trying to achieve something over a long period in a patient way, even when this is difficult:
Reaching this standard of musical skill requires incredible perseverance. A good teacher should have imagination and perseverance.ruthlessness the quality of being extremely determined to achieve what you want, and not caring if you have to hurt other people to do it:
He was a man who pursued his aims with complete ruthlessness. The revolt was suppressed with total ruthlessness.tenacity formal the determination to never stop trying to do something, especially when other people try to stop you:
He clung to power with a remarkable tenacity. When fighting cancer, Tsongas showed the same tenacity he displayed in politics. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲