1
as in to destine
to determine the fate of in advance
he is stoic in the face of adversity, bolstered by his faith that everything in life has been ordained by a higher power
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to order
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority
a new bill that would ordain the funding of public schools through state lottery revenues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the founders of the African republic ordained a form of government that was closely modeled on that of the United States
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ordain
His old mentor called him from Atlanta — the same man who had helped him get ordained the year before.
—
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
Alexander came to believe that God had ordained him to save Europe, and also all of humanity and Christianity.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Friends suggested moving in with Geller; one of the first women ordained by the college, Geller had been offering her four-bedroom home to students since 2020.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025
They were married in front of 28 guests at San Francisco City Hall on Jan. 13 by Ms. Duncan’s cousin, Hayley Duncan, who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.
—Alix Wall, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
Alexander came to believe that God had ordained him to save Europe, and also all of humanity and Christianity.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Friends suggested moving in with Geller; one of the first women ordained by the college, Geller had been offering her four-bedroom home to students since 2020.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025
They were married in front of 28 guests at San Francisco City Hall on Jan. 13 by Ms. Duncan’s cousin, Hayley Duncan, who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.
—Alix Wall, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
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Yet our attention economy rewards those who excel at creating moments of conflict destined for social media.—
Nate Bennett,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Having flat feet doesn’t mean you’re destined for a life of discomfort.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Robert King, 35, who was charged with transmitting interstate threats in federal court on Monday, was ordered to stay in detention by U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Toliver after a hearing in Dallas on Wednesday afternoon, Fox News confirmed.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The Duke and Duchess of Windsor ordered pieces that were full of personality and wit.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After Nixon was named a first-team All-Pro for his kick-return prowess in both 2022 and 2023, the NFL enacted a rule change that moved touchbacks from the 25-yard line to the 30 for the 2024 season.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Market conditioned to rally We’ve been conditioned, since 1987, to expect market panics and crashes to be relatively short-lived and reversed by policy actions enacted by both the federal government and the Federal Reserve.—
Ron Insana,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Yes, actual playoffs Slow start, sloppy play dooms Sharks in loss to desperate Rangers Why the Sharks likely will not recall Gushchin or Bordeleau this season The Sharks also had issues on the power play Sunday, going 0-for-3 with the man advantage without a shot on net.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2025
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If the 6-foot-2 Weber State product misses the postseason, that would essentially doom the Bucks' already-slim championship aspirations.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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After requesting and being granted his release from the Professional Fighters League, Pitbull signed with the UFC and has landed a major fight on one of the year’s biggest cards.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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The prosecution requested that they be addressed using pseudonyms during trial.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The 11-year-old girl passed the phone to a neighbor, a man with little information about the chaotic scene.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
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According to tradition, there are no other direct mourners—husband, parents have all passed—but Mila asks the rabbi to cut her blouse, too.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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