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
Contemporary issues Since 1962, only bishops can be created cardinals; priests must agree to be ordained as bishops before being made cardinal.
—
Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
Brambilla’s appointment is the latest move by Francis to show by example how women can take leadership roles within the Catholic hierarchy, albeit without allowing them to be ordained as priests.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
But on the question of whether women could be ordained as deacons, the church said the possibility requires further meditation.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
These stewards are not perfect, but they’ve been ordained to spread a divine message.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ordain 
Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
Brambilla’s appointment is the latest move by Francis to show by example how women can take leadership roles within the Catholic hierarchy, albeit without allowing them to be ordained as priests.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
But on the question of whether women could be ordained as deacons, the church said the possibility requires further meditation.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
These stewards are not perfect, but they’ve been ordained to spread a divine message.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
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If Iran does funnel the chemicals towards missile fuel production, especially on weapons destined for Russia, that will be of greater concern, the source said.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN,
13 Feb. 2025
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Houston has a slim chance for the top line but is probably destined for a No. 2 seed.—
Jon Wilner,
The Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On Friday a federal judge blocked DOGE from accessing the Treasury payment system while a court challenge proceeds and ordered any material downloaded from the system to be destroyed.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Trump slapped 10% tariffs on Chinese imports and ordered an end to the loophole.—
Brian Slodysko,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Ivanhoe grant marked only the latest fallout in the Kansas City metro from the wave of spending cuts and reductions enacted since President Donald Trump took office.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
18 Feb. 2025
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Some states are already making moves President Biden’s administration largely blocked states from enacting work rules of their own and required 10 states to remove the requirement for Medicaid coverage.—
Amanda Seitz,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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By contrast, Super Bowl 48 was doomed from the very first play, as a snap flew over Peyton Manning’s head and resulted in a safety.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
10 Feb. 2025
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Ferrell bugs his eyes out and sighs a series of increasingly desperate spit-takes, but this project was probably doomed from the get-go.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Police said the suspect, later identified as Onyx Calderon, showed up at the store on Jan. 29 and requested to see the rare bird, so the owner brought the parrot out in a smaller cage for his viewing purposes.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
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Now the homeowner is requesting permission from the local council, to rezone the historic property as three houses and a cottage.—
Madeline Fitzgerald,
Quartz,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In Nashville, Tennessee, city officials passed ordinances aimed at muffling extremist activity after more frequent demonstrations by such groups, including an instance in July when demonstrators rushed the council chambers, forcing closure of the gallery.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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Naturally, given his wide array of skills, there were four answers pertaining to him: his passing, shot, hockey sense and puck protection.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ordain
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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