Definition of divinenext
1
2
as in heavenly
of, relating to, or being God for these divine gifts let us be truly thankful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divine

2 of 3

noun

divine

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divine different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of divine are anticipate, foreknow, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

When could anticipate be used to replace divine?

Although the words anticipate and divine have much in common, anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.

the waiter anticipated our every need

When might foreknow be a better fit than divine?

The synonyms foreknow and divine are sometimes interchangeable, but foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

When can foresee be used instead of divine?

While the synonyms foresee and divine are close in meaning, foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of divine
Adjective
All the world is in God’s hands, governed with divine justice, love, and wisdom and not by certain people or human systems. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026 And indeed, something more primal is awash here than just the possibility of divine substantiation within attachments and relationships. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
While some religions, including Hinduism and Islam, prohibit or discourage intoxication, others use alcohol to connect with the divine. — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026 By suppressing this continuity between the natural and the supernatural realms, Nolan omits much of what makes the Homeric age so different, including the ambience of the divine and the distinctive moral realm that goes with it. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
Verb
Habermas shares Horkheimer and Adorno’s doubts about such a scheme, which puts too much faith in individuals’ ability to divine truth on their own. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 According to Esteve Umbert, one of the architects, Guadì also left geometric clues to help with construction, such as a hyperbolic paraboloid used to divine the shape of a church spire. — Seth Doane, CBS News, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for divine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divine
Adjective
  • Reclaiming the work of women selling fish, and the word that was an insult but is now a beautiful brand, is a wonderful turn of phrase and time, to us.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down.
    — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Stop at downtown Guerneville for a heavenly buttermilk biscuit at Piknik Town Market.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Set on the edge of the Village of Lindos, the heavenly parcel and its glass-like waters are nearly encased by rocks with stretches of smooth sand on either side.
    — Jennifer Tzeses, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • He was given the Last Rites by a priest in the hospital before making a miraculous recovery.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As baseball owners prepare for a lockout, in a push for the salary cap that would drive franchise values higher, insiders anticipate the MLB expansion fee could settle around or even above the $4 billion range.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Outside of Book Road, a full closure is also in place along 248th Avenue between 95th Street and Trumpet Avenue, which is anticipated to last through the fall.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Her excellent debut, 2007’s Free Food for Millionaires, features upwardly mobile Korean Americans whose desire for security Lee portrayed both sympathetically and critically.
    — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • If that feels unattainable, though, Baldino’s other spots are equally excellent and open to anyone.
    — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The Houthis have denied launching an attack on the city, considered the holiest site in Islam.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Bahrain has opened most F1 seasons in recent years and was only moved from that position in 2025 and 2026 because of a clash with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • With bow and arrow in hand, Anghba finds his hunt for a wild boar across a riverbank interrupted by a raft floating downstream, as former tribespeople surround a jovial American preacher (Douglas Henshall), much to the chieftain’s chagrin.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Among the line-up are several Black Americans, one of whom is Oscar Rankin, a Black prizefighter and preacher, well known in the Black community.
    — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • For the OGs, who couldn’t foresee the full scope of what this meant, the consequences might feel the starkest.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The head coach foresaw a transition taking place over a 12-to-18-month period, whereby Trafford would eventually usurp Pope, now 34.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Divine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divine. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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