Synonyms of ordain

ordain

verb

ȯr-ˈdān 

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

• destine
• doom
• fate
• predetermine
• foreordain
• condemn
• predestine
• preordain
• predict
• foredoom
• prognosticate
• sentence
• foretell
• prophesy
• presage
• predestinate
• forecast
• divine
• augur
• anticipate
• foresee
• forebode
• prejudge
• bode
• portend
• foreknow
• forbode
• preconceive

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

• order
• request
• ask
• dictate
• require
• mandate
• decree
• call for
• direct
• call
• demand
• command
• petition

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cancel
• rescind
• countermand

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

• enact
• pass
• legislate
• constitute
• approve
• make
• lay down
• dictate
• permit
• authorize
• ratify
• sanction
• proclaim
• effect
• execute
• decree
• administer
• allow
• bring about
• repass
• reenact
• confirm

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• revoke
• repeal
• rescind
• kill
• abolish
• cancel
• invalidate
• reverse
• nullify
• annul
• abrogate
• void
• overturn

Examples of ordain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The blanket presidential immunity ordained in Trump v. United States was not even discernable in the penumbras, emanations or subtext of the Constitution. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2024

Many religious communities don’t allow them to be ordained as pastors, bishops or priests. —John Blake, CNN, 15 July 2024

To be fair, maybe the ordained don’t have too many chances to hone their dating skills. —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 18 May 2024

The most famous among them was Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield, who LaVey ordained. —Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024