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
Qualified people who could be priests except for archaic laws that no longer serve us continue to wait to be invited into the ranks of those who have been ordained.
—
Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
Thirty-two deacons from around the world were being ordained that day.
—Kristine Tran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Kim, who became the first woman ordained in the Seoul Diocese of the Anglican Church of Korea, had been invited to develop the Episcopal church’s connection to Asian communities, said Mary Rothwell Davis, an attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, where Go’s mother is a reverend.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
In his nearly 30 years on death row, he has been ordained as a pastor and started a church.
—Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
Thirty-two deacons from around the world were being ordained that day.
—Kristine Tran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Kim, who became the first woman ordained in the Seoul Diocese of the Anglican Church of Korea, had been invited to develop the Episcopal church’s connection to Asian communities, said Mary Rothwell Davis, an attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, where Go’s mother is a reverend.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
In his nearly 30 years on death row, he has been ordained as a pastor and started a church.
—Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
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But a comparable amount is also smuggled out via Chad, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Egypt—nearly all destined for the UAE.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
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Dior’s new soft tote and Loewe’s large Amazona bag felt like instant icons — pieces destined for real-life wear but crafted with couture-level care.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Be mindful of sugar intake when ordering coffee or preparing your own at home.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
20 Oct. 2025
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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has ordered a nonprofit waterfowl sanctuary to kill dozens of flightless ducks and geese on its property within 30 days, citing the facility's lack of proper licensure and amenities.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Larson argued the amendment would limit the state's ability to enact more restrictive gun laws in the future.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement That tracks with Robeson’s experience, which suggests that, even if enacted, such a provision might not achieve its goal.—
Time,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Far from being doomed by his polarizing legacy, Republicans are poised to emerge as the party of the sensible center, representing the non-polarized public, while Democrats, mired in anti-Trump fervor, risk alienating the masses with diminished appeal.—
Nafees Alam,
Boston Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
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But three false start penalties doomed the offensive drive and Eget’s fourth-and-2 pass to Cooper Boch was broken up by Utah State’s Brevin Hamblin as time expired.—
Aaron Johnson,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Another business owner requested simplifying licensing processes and making renewals easier.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
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Before the crash, air traffic control audio captures the pilots requesting an altitude range — known as a block altitude — to maneuver the airplane.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The quarterback play simply isn’t good enough to out-score opponents, or even force them into pass-heavy play scripts.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
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Game 3’s mid-afternoon start time suited TV but made things even more difficult for hitters as shadows passed in front of the plate, eventually to the outfield.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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