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
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Recent Examples of ordain
Leo was ordained in 1981 as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 June 2025
The Catholic leader, ordained in 1981 as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, was elected pope on May 8 to succeed Pope Francis, who died in April of a stroke and heart failure, according to a death certificate written by a Vatican doctor released in late April.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 June 2025
His brother John became a Catholic school principal in Chicago, and Louis was serving in the U.S. Navy when Leo was ordained as a priest in 1982.
—Jesus Mesa
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Prevost was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1982.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 June 2025
The Catholic leader, ordained in 1981 as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, was elected pope on May 8 to succeed Pope Francis, who died in April of a stroke and heart failure, according to a death certificate written by a Vatican doctor released in late April.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 12 June 2025
His brother John became a Catholic school principal in Chicago, and Louis was serving in the U.S. Navy when Leo was ordained as a priest in 1982.
—Jesus Mesa
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Prevost was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1982.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
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And, naturally, all of that means its hotels are destined to be intimate and comfy, too.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
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The company now makes about 1,000 flags per day, with many destined for military funerals, government buildings and patriotic front porches nationwide.—
Olivianna Calmes,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Some of those claims were dismissed by a judge in 2024, but the lawsuit was still ordered to move forward; in June, however, Lizzo filed an appeal aimed at shutting it down for good on the grounds that the dancers’ claims clashed with her First Amendment rights.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
1 July 2025
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The company has been ordering fireworks a year in advance, Marietta said.—
Tim Hrenchir,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
Verb
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In part, Merriman says, because of Beijing enacting tougher environmental regulations at home in 2015, regulations that pushed Chinese firms to set up shop with local partners next door.—
Michael Sullivan,
NPR,
12 July 2025
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Meanwhile, deep tax cuts enacted in 2023 with subsequent cuts each year have had a limited impact on growth, O’Leary said, while reducing state revenue.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Instead of wasting resources on a venture doomed by structural realities, Musk should pursue a strategy that actually works in American politics: identifying vulnerable Republican incumbents who voted for fiscal irresponsibility and funding primary challengers committed to genuine conservatism.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
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Was the project doomed by the economic realities of globalization, the competitive landscape in the smartphone business, or were Google’s shifting corporate priorities ultimately to blame?—
Verne Kopytoff,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Personnel requested ground and air ambulances, and began performing life-saving measures.—
Theresa Clift
July 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
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Hoyos, 20, requested that applicants create a final product that was engaging, cohesive and matched her specific style.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The four-mile trail passes through groves of Great Basin bristlecone pines, with trunks weathered by centuries of snow and sun.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
11 July 2025
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In contrast, a green placard means a restaurant passed inspection.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated July 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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