divine 1 of 3

Definition of divinenext
1
2
as in heavenly
of, relating to, or being God for these divine gifts let us be truly thankful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divine

2 of 3

noun

divine

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divine different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of divine are anticipate, foreknow, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

When could anticipate be used to replace divine?

Although the words anticipate and divine have much in common, anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.

the waiter anticipated our every need

When might foreknow be a better fit than divine?

The synonyms foreknow and divine are sometimes interchangeable, but foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

When can foresee be used instead of divine?

While the synonyms foresee and divine are close in meaning, foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

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 divine
Adjective
Levenson highlights how the subtext of this attitude was that contracting a highly infectious disease was divine punishment for sin and that the only way to avoid disease was to live a virtuous life. Diana Gitig, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2026 Benjamin qualified for the national bee by winning the San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in March, correctly spelling kenosis, the relinquishment of divine attributes by Jesus Christ in becoming human, in the 23rd round. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Noun
But attracting hummingbirds is probably more formulaic than that, and likely has everything to do with hummingbird nectar, rather than the divine. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026 Nor is the divine set apart from human suffering. Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
The internet is full of polls that have divined, by soliciting votes from film critics and filmmakers, what are ostensibly the greatest movies of all time. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026 Just through the front doors of IGI is the Gaming Lab, where experts attempt to divine the future of gambling. Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divine
Adjective
  • Delisle was fiery and wonderful, but the angel came later.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • The retro American bar—with its picture windows right on the river—is a wonderful spot for a glass of fizz or a vintage Negroni.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Blue chrome powder takes this dreamy look into heavenly territory.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 23 May 2026
  • My Costa Rican Hammam Experience included a vigorous scrub-down on a marble slab in the steamy hammam that used a Costa Rican coffee bean exfoliator for a local twist, followed by a heavenly massage.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Based on the true story of a Roman Catholic priest accused of witchcraft in rural France in 1634, The Devils featured violence and nudity that still seems strong today.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 May 2026
  • From the altar, the priest—whom a fellow clergyman introduced as being el Ĉinio, or from China—delivered the readings, blessed the Eucharist, and invited us to interŝanĝi the sign of the paco.
    Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • The Heart is a Lonely Hunter was hotly anticipated, despite—or because of—its strangeness.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • The Washington Examiner also contacted Democrats, elected or otherwise, who are anticipated to run for their party’s 2028 presidential nomination, including Govs.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Seb Stafford-Bloor’s excellent Transfer Tiers series is moving on to central defenders today.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The right-shot defenseman has had an excellent tournament for Finland, who advanced to the semifinals with a win over Czechia.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Playing the rivalry at any other time would be an affront to all that’s good and holy.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • In such a distrustful environment, everything that should be pure or holy or human is crushed under the weight of a state only interested in its own self-perpetuation.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Studio executives might not have had much interest in listening to a preacher from Tupelo, but parent companies could be threatened with viewer anger.
    Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
  • In another era, Pratt would have been a welcome edition to the roster of bombastic Southern California preachers a la Aimee Semple McPherson, Chuck Smith and Gene Scott, as well as radio titans such as George Putnam and John Kobylt.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • Regardless of Emery’s encouraging assessment back then, Buendia’s overall season record of 11 goals and nine assists underlined a turnaround very few, aside from the midfielder himself, could have foreseen.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 May 2026
  • Analysts foresee the film exceeding $100 million domestically for the four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend.
    Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 24 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Divine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divine. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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