pre·or·dain
ˌprē-ȯr-ˈdān 
preordained; preordaining; preordains
: to decree or ordain in advance : foreordain
pre·ordination
: the action or an act or instance of preordaining or foreordaining
Examples of preordain in a Sentence
Verb
my wife and I are such soulmates, I'm convinced that our marriage was preordained
Recent Examples on the Web
Sean Gregory, Time, 10 June 2026
The purchase seems preordained, given that both Gert-Jan and Corinne, like Pascon and Boccara, are lively and curious intellectuals.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
What wasn’t preordained is just how beautifully executed the entire venture turns out to be.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Will this year’s Oscar awards be another fait accompli, a bloated snoozer that’s as boring and seemingly preordained as this year’s Super Bowl?
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preordain
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.
Verb
Given the slow start to his pro career, a spot at the World Cup, never mind the starting nod, was far from preordained.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 10 June 2026
The purchase seems preordained, given that both Gert-Jan and Corinne, like Pascon and Boccara, are lively and curious intellectuals.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
What wasn’t preordained is just how beautifully executed the entire venture turns out to be.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Will this year’s Oscar awards be another fait accompli, a bloated snoozer that’s as boring and seemingly preordained as this year’s Super Bowl?
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preordain
Cite this Entry
“Preordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preordain. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
