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
Recognizing this divine reality even a little, brings tangible, healing comfort to anyone who opens up their heart to it. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026 Russell adds a 30 Rock–esque backstage frame in which an assistant stage manager (Twiggy, looking divine) is thrust into the spotlight when the star of her regional playhouse’s production of The Boy Friend is nowhere to be found. — Juan A. Ramírez, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
These include her grandfather, a Danish Resistance fighter during World War II, a concentration camp survivor, priest, and author who sought the divine on solitary nature walks. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026 The title establishes the spiritual foundation of the franchise, which centers on Lord Shri Krishna and depicts what the studio describes as an expansive spiritual universe built around devotion, dharma and the bond between humanity and the divine. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 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
  • Their sorrowful slow-dance, at first with the air and then with each other, set to the ensemble evoking the crooning of a record player, is just wonderful.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
  • There is a wonderful offhand quality to their scenes together.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Jesus had just been teaching his followers to love even their enemies, pointing toward the impartial love of our heavenly Father.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Codex Gigas, medieval illuminated manuscript known for its full-page illustration of the Devil opposite a full-page illustration of heavenly Jerusalem.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In an email sent to priests of the archdiocese on Saturday afternoon and shared with NPR, Archbishop Ronald Hicks also said the deal had not yet been signed but that an agreement had been reached with plaintiffs and their attorneys.
    — Chandelis Duster, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Georgetown initiative focuses on descendants of slaves sold by Georgetown's Jesuit priests to slaveholders in Louisiana.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Eventually, an edict from the top came that existing attorneys should not anticipate additions to the court teams, according to one source.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That signal can be aggregated, correlated, and exploited by hostile foreign intelligence services to anticipate our movements, targets, and timing.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Bold from brown butter and balsamic vinegar and bright from lemon, the crunchy topping is an excellent foil to the sweetness of roasted squash.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Their bench even has some guys providing excellent backup options.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Going to the White House has become a journey littered with political landmines to which even the holy are not immune.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Bur Bur’s oil is my holy elixir for dry, thinning, lifeless hair.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But DeFalco is drawn to the sidewalk dwellers, street preachers and parking-lot boozers who also lurk down there and help (or hinder) Ten, usually at a loud volume.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Hollander plays Judge Jack Taylor, an authoritative man who weighs his words carefully, possessing both the warmth and charm of a country preacher and the cold edge of a cult leader.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Legislators in 1922 could not have foreseen the midcentury population boom or the severity of climate change.
    — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The framers did not foresee the manipulation of maps to intentionally split Americans and their representatives into two disparate political identities.
    — Dan Lipinski, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Divine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divine. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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