Synonyms of ordained

ordained

verb

past tense of ordain

1

as in destined

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

• destined
• doomed
• predestined
• preordained
• foreordained
• fated
• predetermined
• condemned
• foredoomed
• predicted
• prophesied
• sentenced
• foretold
• predestinated
• presaged
• forecast
• divined
• anticipated
• augured
• prejudged
• foresaw
• prognosticated
• boded
• portended
• preconceived
• foreknew
• foreboded

2

as in ordered

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

• ordered
• requested
• asked
• decreed
• directed
• required
• mandated
• dictated
• called for
• commanded
• called
• demanded
• petitioned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• canceled
• rescinded
• countermanded

3

as in enacted

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

• enacted
• passed
• approved
• constituted
• legislated
• laid down
• made
• dictated
• authorized
• ratified
• permitted
• sanctioned
• decreed
• brought about
• effected
• proclaimed
• administered
• executed
• allowed
• confirmed
• reenacted
• repassed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• revoked
• repealed
• rescinded
• abolished
• killed
• reversed
• canceled
• annulled
• abrogated
• overturned
• nullified
• invalidated
• voided

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ordained

So what if the credulous smallfolk now believe that the Usurper’s rule is ordained by the Gods? — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

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

The Vatican said on July 2 that priests and lay Catholics who are part of a breakaway right-wing Catholic group that ordained bishops without Pope Leo's approval were in schism with the wider Church and now excommunicated. — Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Under church law, consecrating bishops without papal approval is considered a schismatic act and carries automatic excommunication for both the bishops being ordained and the bishop performing the ceremony. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

One of the bishops set to be ordained on Wednesday is Father Michael Goldade, who leads that seminary. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 30 June 2026