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destine

verb des·tine \ ˈdes-tən \
|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of destine

destined; destining
transitive verb
1 : to decree beforehand : predetermine
  • was not destined to attain the throne
2 a : to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance
  • believed their son was destined for the priesthood
  • destined to succeed
  • a flaw that destines them to fail
b : to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place
  • freight destined for European ports

See destine defined for kids

Examples of destine in a Sentence

  1. his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball

Recent Examples of destine from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'destine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of destine

Middle English, from Anglo-French destiner, from Latin destinare, from de- + -stinare (akin to Latin stare to stand) — more at stand

destine Synonyms

Synonyms

doom, fate, foredoom, foreordain, ordain, predestine, predetermine, preordain;

Related Words

predestinate;

augur, forecast, foretell, predict, presage, prognosticate, prophesy;

preconceive, prejudge;

condemn, sentence;

bode, forebode (also forbode), portend;

anticipate, divine, foreknow, foresee;

Phrases Related to DESTINE

Related Phrases

Learn More about destine

  1. See words that rhyme with destine Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for destine Britannica English: Translation of destine for Arabic speakers

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