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
Our argument is not that ChatGPT is the new Delphic oracle, or that most people believe AI is divine. — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 These objects can shed light on how people were worshiping at the time, with gifts often offered in exchange for divine assistance. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
Some interpreters contend that the many gods are manifestations of the singular transcendent divine. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 The Saint Francis of Assisi painted in 1636 by Francisco de Zurbarán is in this sense a kind of periscope on the divine. — Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 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
  • There is a wonderful museum in the park that interactively showcases the landscape and cultural history of the Chacabuco Valley as well as this part of the region's ecological loss and path to recovery.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Howell and Sloyan are quite wonderful in these moments, and Howell is exceptional throughout.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The duo think they’re headed to the heavenly afterlife only to arrive at the office of the Devil (voiced by Culkin), who seems overwhelmed by his job.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • To qualify for beatification, the Vatican normally requires one miracle attributable to the faithful seeking the candidate's heavenly prayers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In the foreground of the painting rises a lone umbrella pine; at its base are the tiny figures of a priest and a young girl.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Trending Video At the time, Frederick and his husband, William, a priest, were living in church housing.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That cultural duality made her early casting endeavors more challenging than anticipated.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The weather is still anticipated to be in the 90s as the festival continues, with a heat advisory for the Sacramento region still in effect through Monday.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s an excellent Anantara Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center onsite, but the highlight of the property is its 60-foot-long oceanfront infinity pool, which overlooks the entire expanse of Stone Town beach.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Mikey Madison is excellent as a whistleblower driven by love, not spite.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has bundled the four services every pilgrim needs — holy site arrangements, lodging in Mecca and Medina, transport, and catering — into a single electronic agreement on one government platform.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • How could one holy book give its readers such seemingly contradictory directives?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The film chronicled Gortner’s youth as a Pentecostal preacher in the American South and exposed the deceptive practices used to bilk believers out of their money.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the halcyon days of the televangelists, when Jim Bakker stood shoulder to shoulder with fire and brimstone preachers such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and Jimmy Swaggart, the collection plate always seemed bottomless.
    — Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But the Kuvshynovs and their legal team say what happened to their daughter was preventable — and foreseen.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Fortich foresees a mass exodus of teachers if the supplement isn’t extended.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Divine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divine. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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