undetermined

adjective

ˌən-di-ˈtər-mənd How to pronounce undetermined (audio)
Definition of undeterminednext
1
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly an undetermined form seen only from a distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pending
not yet settled or decided the fate of the prisoners is still undetermined

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 undetermined Investigators also reopened the investigation into Bill’s death, changing its classification from natural to undetermined. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026 As Zipline and its competitors expand their physical networks, the regulatory framework for large-scale drone operations is still largely undetermined. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 Sacramento County Coroner's Office The cause of death remains undetermined, pending toxicology and other test results. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 Most recently, investigators used advanced DNA testing to identify the girl, and while her cause of death was previously ruled undetermined, it is now being investigated as a homicide. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undetermined
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undetermined
  1. vague
  2. pending
  3. faint
  4. unsettled
  5. unclear
  6. unresolved
  7. debatable
  8. undecided
Adjective
  • Okay, Noah is somehow a Manhunter, though how this came to be is left vague and almost intangible for much of the episode.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The law includes an exception for when a pregnant person’s life is in danger, but physicians and lawyers have said the language is vague and could be interpreted differently by different doctors and hospitals.
    — Ciara McCarthy October 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • Those tax charges, involving Rivera’s 2017 and 2018 returns, remain pending.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Public records requests the Trib filed with DCF for this article remain pending.
    — Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of pending
Adjective
  • The concept uses single-photon lidar to detect faint laser reflections from an aircraft.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • This places the light on a more sensitive part of your retina and can make faint objects easier to see.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • But key details of the new Medi-Cal requirements remained unsettled.
    — JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Why the Fourth Amendment matters The law remains unsettled on ALPR use.
    — Henry F. Fradella, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • Rappers Lucki and Playboi Carti were seen in videos posted to social media, though the cause of the fight and its participants remain unclear.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The prognosis for a Tennessee woman who survived two doses of lethal injection is still unclear, according to her lawyer, who said doctors are still trying to clear the lethal drug administered during her execution attempt.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of unclear
Adjective
  • There are currently 486 unresolved issues when combining all 10 bargaining groups — one for each bargaining unit and a master that applies to each unit — and nearly 248 tentative agreements.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Without conflicting appellate decisions, the DOJ would lack a traditional ground for Supreme Court review, though the justices can also hear sufficiently important unresolved federal questions.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of unresolved
Adjective
  • While the advantages of retinoids like retinol—firmer, clearer, and brighter skin—are essentially fact at this point, what constitutes the best retinoid is a bit more debatable.
    — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Still admittedly a debatable pick; shaky taking Titans against anybody.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of debatable
Adjective
  • About 45% of likely voters supported Proposition 40, while 42% opposed it and 13% were undecided in a late September poll by UC Berkeley and the Los Angeles Times.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Thomas Traumann, a political consultant based in Rio de Janeiro, says last-minute mistakes by either candidate or by their allies could make all the difference for undecided voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of undecided

Browse Nearby Words

undetected
undetermined
undeterred
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undetermined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undetermined. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All