as in accident
the belief that everything that will happen has already been predetermined and cannot be changed
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Recent Examples of predestination
Request a Demo Rorty’s version of redemption stands out against certain religious strands in that it is explicitly set against predestination or essentialism.
—
Big Think, 14 June 2024
This is a fun twist on the ancient idea of prophecy or predestination and, as such, makes for some compelling narrative uses—for a while, anyway.
—Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023
Entertainment Score: 7 Science Score: 9 Arrival (2016) Enlarge / Denis Villeneuve's first foray into sci-fi offers a fun twist on the ancient idea of prophesy or predestination.
—Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023
In a place where both psychohistory and predestination exist, how much does personal choice matter?
—Marah Eakin, WIRED, 14 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for predestination
Big Think, 14 June 2024
This is a fun twist on the ancient idea of prophecy or predestination and, as such, makes for some compelling narrative uses—for a while, anyway.
—Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023
Entertainment Score: 7 Science Score: 9 Arrival (2016) Enlarge / Denis Villeneuve's first foray into sci-fi offers a fun twist on the ancient idea of prophesy or predestination.
—Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023
In a place where both psychohistory and predestination exist, how much does personal choice matter?
—Marah Eakin, WIRED, 14 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for predestination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predestination
Noun
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In 1950, following an accident with a truck that left him with chronic pain, Lee leapt to his death from a twelfth-story window, leaving behind a fortune and a world-class collection of cars, which were subsequently sold off, among them the T150.—
Stayton Bonner,
Robb Report,
24 Aug. 2025
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At the end of the set, drummer and vocalist Brann Dailor stepped to the front of the stage to deliver a heartfelt message about Hinds, who died earlier in the week following a motorcycle accident in Atlanta.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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If anyone from this list emerges as a value contract with the Oilers in 2025-26, Edmonton might be a team of destiny.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
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At first glance, ownership might seem like the obvious winner — build equity, control your destiny, no landlord breathing down your neck.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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The recall was listed as a Class II event, the middle of three possible hazard classifications, by the FDA on Monday.—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Later rounds are where careful attention to detail, assessment of drafted situation and a certain degree of luck can turn a Day 3 selection into a starting fantasy asset.—
Jeff Haverlack,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
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Behind the scenes, it was held together with duct tape and luck.—
Renny Vandewege,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The First Lady for 'Sincere Attention' President Trump hand-delivered a letter from his wife to Putin during the summit, which focused on the fate of Ukrainian and Russian children, Reuters reported, citing two unnamed White House officials.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
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Ophelia is a young noblewoman whose fate is controlled by three men: Hamlet, the prince; Polonius, her father; and Laertes, her brother.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Nonetheless, in theory, the use of generic generative AI by users in Illinois that, by happenstance, provides therapy or psychotherapeutic advice is presumably within the scope of getting dinged by the new law.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Some were fans of Spangler's work, some were simply fans of estate sales and some stumbled across the crowd by happenstance.—
Kylie Volavongsa,
jsonline.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Sanders faced heavy pressure throughout the game, limiting his chances to showcase his abilities, while Dillon Gabriel appeared to have had a clearer path to make plays.—
Cecil Merkerson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
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This stylish set is currently 65 percent off in four colors, so don’t miss your chance to snag it before your next vacation.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This might all be too doom and gloom for late August.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
23 Aug. 2025
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Shonda Shines Star power and spice: Jake and Max have been pounding the halls of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre the past four days for the 50th anniversary of the Edinburgh TV Festival, an event that struck a positive chord after a 2024 characterized by doom and gloom.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predestination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predestination. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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