divine 1 of 3

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
Levenson highlights how the subtext of this attitude was that contracting a highly infectious disease was divine punishment for sin and that the only way to avoid disease was to live a virtuous life. Diana Gitig, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2026 Benjamin qualified for the national bee by winning the San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in March, correctly spelling kenosis, the relinquishment of divine attributes by Jesus Christ in becoming human, in the 23rd round. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Noun
Oregon House is most famous for being home to Fellowship of Friends, a spiritual community that seeks the divine through appreciation of the finer things such as cuisine and the arts. Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026 But attracting hummingbirds is probably more formulaic than that, and likely has everything to do with hummingbird nectar, rather than the divine. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
The internet is full of polls that have divined, by soliciting votes from film critics and filmmakers, what are ostensibly the greatest movies of all time. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026 Just through the front doors of IGI is the Gaming Lab, where experts attempt to divine the future of gambling. Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divine
Adjective
  • Delisle was fiery and wonderful, but the angel came later.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • The retro American bar—with its picture windows right on the river—is a wonderful spot for a glass of fizz or a vintage Negroni.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Blue chrome powder takes this dreamy look into heavenly territory.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 23 May 2026
  • My Costa Rican Hammam Experience included a vigorous scrub-down on a marble slab in the steamy hammam that used a Costa Rican coffee bean exfoliator for a local twist, followed by a heavenly massage.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, DC, has removed a priest as an exorcist and cut ties with the priest's nonprofit organization over comments the priest made about UFOs and demons.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 June 2026
  • Monsignor Stephen Rossetti is a priest and psychologist who has heldprominent positions in the Archdiocese of Washington for decades.
    Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • The Heart is a Lonely Hunter was hotly anticipated, despite—or because of—its strangeness.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • The Washington Examiner also contacted Democrats, elected or otherwise, who are anticipated to run for their party’s 2028 presidential nomination, including Govs.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • There are beautiful lake-side beaches and excellent trout fishing.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 June 2026
  • The jury, under the excellent presidency of Park Chan-wook, who was both generous and confident, had extremely varied and highly democratic debates.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Playing the rivalry at any other time would be an affront to all that’s good and holy.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • In such a distrustful environment, everything that should be pure or holy or human is crushed under the weight of a state only interested in its own self-perpetuation.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Studio executives might not have had much interest in listening to a preacher from Tupelo, but parent companies could be threatened with viewer anger.
    Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
  • In another era, Pratt would have been a welcome edition to the roster of bombastic Southern California preachers a la Aimee Semple McPherson, Chuck Smith and Gene Scott, as well as radio titans such as George Putnam and John Kobylt.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • Dell foresees supply constraints in the second half of fiscal 2027, Clarke said.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 May 2026
  • Regardless of Emery’s encouraging assessment back then, Buendia’s overall season record of 11 goals and nine assists underlined a turnaround very few, aside from the midfielder himself, could have foreseen.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Divine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divine. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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