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
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
Inspired by the visions of the prophets and mystics, Later Prophets is the latest project from the Jazz Rabbi, saxophonist and ordained rabbi Greg Wall, together with master percussionist Aaron Alexander, keyboardist Shai Bachar and bassist Fima Ephron.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
Now, Dacus, who says she is ordained in the United States, is looking for fans to tie the knot during select shows on her Forever Is a Feeling Tour.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 23 July 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
Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Inspired by the visions of the prophets and mystics, Later Prophets is the latest project from the Jazz Rabbi, saxophonist and ordained rabbi Greg Wall, together with master percussionist Aaron Alexander, keyboardist Shai Bachar and bassist Fima Ephron.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
Now, Dacus, who says she is ordained in the United States, is looking for fans to tie the knot during select shows on her Forever Is a Feeling Tour.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 23 July 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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The country is also the leading global exporter of tractor trucks, 95% of which are destined for the United States.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Pope, Vince Panero and Ashley Hollis — destined for the Final 3?—
Christopher Kuhagen,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After Bukele asked for the contractor’s removal, Johnson ordered an investigation by embassy security officials.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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African telecom companies are often at the mercy of government agencies that order the shutdowns, but pressure from the international community could increase accountability and compel the companies to deny unlawful or arbitrary shutdown orders, the researchers argued.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The statistics also mark a sharp increase in shooting victims under the age of 18, with the NYPD accounting for an 80% jump in incidents since the law was enacted in 2018.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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When America entered the Second World War, states and cities moved to enact additional hate speech laws, in part to prevent race riots that threatened to disrupt industrial production and the war effort.—
Time,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rebels could be brutal, even with all the discretion shots in the world, and it should be applauded for its dedication to showing a galaxy far, far away that feels doomed to remain fallen.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
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Following a Keller field goal, the Chargers were on the march again, but a fumble at the Keller eight yard line doomed the drive.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The department has requested copies of voter rolls, often with nonpublic information like partial Social Security numbers, from dozens of states.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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An online form to request City Hall light displays lists red, blue, orange, purple, yellow, white and green as options.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Julia, Lisa, and Kiki all pull the short straw and go to Alexia and Frankie’s Beauty Bar for free manicures, half-stale prosecco, and warm sushi passed around by waitstaff that aren’t even hot.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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The Tattooist Act passed convincingly on Thursday afternoon with 195 votes in favor out of 202 members present, enabling non-medical professionals to obtain a license.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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