Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of deciding or arranging something beforehand: The action of establishing or decreeing in advance what will happen.
   • A fixed intention or decision formed in advance: A mental resolve or decision made before an event or action.
   • (Theology) The state of being decided in advance; divine foreordainment: Especially the doctrine that God has predetermined all events, including human salvation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The committee's predetermination of the winner made the competition seem unfair.
  • She approached the negotiation with a predetermination to reach a compromise.
  • The theological concept of predetermination is a central tenet in some religious doctrines.

Advanced Usage

• "with/without predetermination": Describing an action done with or without a fixed prior decision.
  • The judge was careful to review the case without any predetermination of guilt.
• Doctrinal usage: Often capitalized as "Predetermination" when referring to the specific theological doctrine.
  • Debates about free will often involve discussions of Predetermination.

Variants and Related Words

• Predetermine (verb): To decide or settle in advance.
  • The rules predetermine the outcome.
• Predetermined (adjective): Established or decided in advance.
  • They followed a predetermined path.

Synonyms

• Preordination: The action of ordaining or determining in advance.
• Foreordination: (Theology) Divine determination beforehand.
• Preconception: A preconceived idea or prejudice.
• Prejudice: A preconceived opinion not based on reason.

Related Phrases

• A foregone conclusion: An outcome that is certain to happen, often due to prior arrangement.
  • The trial's verdict was a foregone conclusion, given the judge's apparent predetermination.

Noun

1. the act of determining or ordaining in advance what is to take place
2. a mental determination or resolve in advance; an antecedent intention to do something
   • he entered the argument with a predetermination to prove me wrong
3. (theology) being determined in advance; especially the doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the final salvation of mankind)