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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 That year, he was ordained a minister. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026 Torres was born in 1929 to a wealthy family in Bogota, and was ordained a priest in the 1950s. Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026 There is nothing divinely ordained here. Carter Dougherty, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026 Hicks was ordained as a priest May 21, 1994, in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
  • The fossils are destined for the Museum of the River, a pioneering zero-energy facility currently under construction in Niamey, the capital.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The team appears destined for another year in the NBA draft lottery.
    Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • If the Santa Barbara spot prawns (done in a harissa coffee marinade) are in season during your visit, order them ASAP.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The weekly grocery bill has been around $500 with both kids living at home, and the family usually orders delivery twice a week, rotating between Chinese and Indian food, which typically costs $70, including leftovers.
    Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Apply it retroactively That necessary restriction would apply retroactively, even if the bill is enacted later.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Crockett emphasized that people need to play their part in enacting change.
    Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • If a leader can’t communicate, he’s doomed right off the bat.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Saturn’s entrance to Aries emphasizes where bonds are capable of building, or doomed to break.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • While food options tend to cater for more refined taste buds, staff are committed to sourcing anything younger guests may request.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
  • This note, the latest in a series, demanded the money in a cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, which the previous notes had requested, according to the outlet.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Posey seems to want to pass this off as prudence.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • New York state passed a similar effort in 2023.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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