Definition of ordainnext
1
as in to destine
to determine the fate of in advance he is stoic in the face of adversity, bolstered by his faith that everything in life has been ordained by a higher power

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to order
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority a new bill that would ordain the funding of public schools through state lottery revenues

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action the founders of the African republic ordained a form of government that was closely modeled on that of the United States

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ordain The program was slowly implemented, and the first native African ministers ordained in Kenya, Ishmael Semler and William Jones, were ordained in 1885. — Stephanie Triplettall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 Wexler was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2017. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 He was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1985 and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2010. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2026 The ceremony was officiated by actor Adam Sandler, who is legally ordained. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
  • Various harsh and challenging Antarctic environments have served as testing sites for equipment destined for the Moon, Mars and beyond.
    — Daniella McCahey, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Private investigators believe the vehicles were destined for the Sinaloa Cartel.
    — Steve Fisher Special Correspondent Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • All three are crime drama-thrillers, the most exportable and ordered of program types, but all three reject tropes of the genre.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The court also barred him from the train operator for 12 months, ordered 80 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity days, and ordered him to pay £5,000 in compensation to Southeastern, £150 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The rest of the network enacts the decision, as other genes are activated or suppressed farther downstream, but isn’t active in it.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In all, around 26 percent of the tariff increases enacted last year were reflected in retail prices paid by consumers.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • And a fluke goal doomed SKC to a 2-1 loss in the dying minutes.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But if the court kills Boulder’s case, that could doom the others, handing a major victory to oil companies.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • No payment is requested or exchanged at any point during the selection, evaluation or ranking process; inclusion is based solely on the methodology.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Others, like Ashra, are requested in advance for Shirodhara therapy, while many guests book Bernie for acupuncture and cupping.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Upon passing through a deep portico entryway abutting an attached two-car garage, a vaulted reception gallery sits beneath a prominent glass atrium.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Micron Technology, another beneficiary, passed the $1 trillion market cap for the first time this May.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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