determination
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for determination, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Firmness of purpose; the will to keep going despite difficulty.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use determination
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sheer determination
determination to win
determination of the cause
Etymology
From Old French determinacion, from Latin determinatio, ultimately from determinare ("to fix, settle").
Full origin of determination →Frequently asked questions
What does “determination” mean?
The word “determination” means firmness of purpose; the will to keep going despite difficulty. In plain terms, either strong willpower, or the act/result of officially working something out.
How do you pronounce “determination”?
“Determination” is pronounced dih-tur-mih-NAY-shuhn (/dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “determination” in a sentence?
Here is “determination” used in a sentence: “It took real determination to finish the marathon injured.”
What part of speech is “determination”?
“Determination” is a noun.
Where does the word “determination” come from?
The word “determination” comes from Latin. From Old French determinacion, from Latin determinatio, ultimately from determinare ("to fix, settle").
Is “determination” a common word?
“Determination” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “determination” have?
“Determination” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: firmness of purpose; the will to keep going despite difficulty.
What is the difference between "determination" and "perseverance"?
Determination is the firmness of purpose and will to keep going despite difficulty. Perseverance emphasises the sustained effort of continuing over time, so determination is often the resolve that drives perseverance.
What is the difference between "determination" and "determined"?
"Determination" is the noun for firmness of purpose, as in "she showed great determination." "Determined" is the adjective describing a person who has that quality, as in "she was determined to finish."
What is the difference between "determination" and "motivation"?
Motivation is the reason or drive that makes you want to do something, while determination is the firm resolve that keeps you going once you have started. You can be motivated to begin a task but need determination to finish it despite obstacles.
