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
Sacred altars display various statues of orishas, or divine spirits, alongside offerings in the form of money, water, food and tobacco. Delia Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 However, the notion of the emperor’s divine origins strengthened during the Meiji era, when the concept of State Shinto arose. ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
His prophetic abilities and insight into the divine are partly from having experienced both life as a woman and life as a man. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 June 2026 Just to put a little bit of the divine in it. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 19 June 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’s this wonderful character in the book, Lucky’s childhood friend [Steph].
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Toronto is a wonderful city, and this will be a Saturday night game featuring Sidney Crosby in the place for hockey.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Luzzi’s heavenly version is layered with almond, fig, honey and bavaroise.
    Ann Lee, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Mixed Bag Birds, Hell’s Canyon, Idaho Extreme western Idaho is the place to enjoy a heavenly upland bird hunt in Hell.
    Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • There haven’t been any female popes, cardinals, archbishops or priests.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Even a local Catholic priest launched a holy war against the school over its new athletic facility.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The pro-presidential Adilet party is widely predicted to win an overwhelming majority, with several smaller parties loyal to Tokayev also anticipated to enter parliament.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Bauer said the city does not anticipate any salt shortages during the 2026-27 season.
    Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Fjord, Cristian Mungiu’s legal thriller starring podcast favorite Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan; Hope, an action film starring Squid Game breakout Hoyeon; and Gentle Monster, led by an excellent Léa Seydoux.
    Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Servite 0-1 (62) The Friars lost to an excellent Centennial of Corona team, 41-21, in Rick Garretson’s first game as Servite’s head coach.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Especially when, during a timeless, holy ritual, your daughter starts rocking out in front of the congregation.
    Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Far-right extremists are even encouraging Jewish-Arab violence atop the Temple Mount, the most sacred site in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam, which could ignite anti-Israel religious violence and terrorism in the region.
    Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Later in the service, the choir would sing a foot-stomping, hand-clapping rendition of a gospel song that set the tone for the preacher to follow with his gospel message.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The story begins in 1810, when Johann Wilhelm Ebel, a young cleric who had studied at the University of Königsberg, returned to the city as a teacher and preacher.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Its drafters could not have foreseen today’s challenges of combatting cybercrime.
    Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Markets now are pricing in little chance the Fed will raise at its September meeting and, in fact, now doesn't foresee a high probability of an interest rate increase until December, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Divine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divine. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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