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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 ordained
Qualified people who could be priests except for archaic laws that no longer serve us continue to wait to be invited into the ranks of those who have been ordained.
—
Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
The move also contrasts with Pope Francis, who said no to moving into the papal apartments when he was ordained in 2013, choosing instead a Vatican guesthouse.
—Greg Wehner , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Thirty-two deacons from around the world were being ordained that day.
—Kristine Tran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Kim, who became the first woman ordained in the Seoul Diocese of the Anglican Church of Korea, had been invited to develop the Episcopal church’s connection to Asian communities, said Mary Rothwell Davis, an attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, where Go’s mother is a reverend.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
In his nearly 30 years on death row, he has been ordained as a pastor and started a church.
—Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Mar. 2025
Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
The move also contrasts with Pope Francis, who said no to moving into the papal apartments when he was ordained in 2013, choosing instead a Vatican guesthouse.
—Greg Wehner , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Thirty-two deacons from around the world were being ordained that day.
—Kristine Tran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Kim, who became the first woman ordained in the Seoul Diocese of the Anglican Church of Korea, had been invited to develop the Episcopal church’s connection to Asian communities, said Mary Rothwell Davis, an attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, where Go’s mother is a reverend.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
In his nearly 30 years on death row, he has been ordained as a pastor and started a church.
—Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordained
Verb
-
Is Robert Livingston’s defense destined to make every QB1 with legs look like the second coming of Haynes King, the Georgia Tech signal-caller who ran wild in CU’s opener?—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Yankees seem destined for October, but Volpe's struggles could keep them from making a deep run.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The president has ordered flags lowered to half-staff until Sunday night to honor Kirk.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The flag has been ordered to half-staff following major tragedies, such as the September 11 Attacks and the 2012 Newtown school shooting.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To bridge the gap, a handful of states have enacted orders expanding and protecting access, issuing blanket prescriptions, executive orders and insurance coverage requirements.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Newsom realized, though, that anything enacted by a California ballot initiative — such as the non-partisan election commission — can be undone by another initiative.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The heart of the story involves a romantic epiphany that’s also an unspoken recognition of homosexual desire; Michèle’s matchmaking scheme is a vicarious replacement for something that’s doomed to go unfulfilled.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Bayrou deserves a share of the blame, as his attempts to muster support for €44 billion in drastic spending cuts were doomed from the outset.—
Cole Stangler,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Reeling from the unprecedented incident, the UAE requested Stingers from Washington.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Asked Friday if city and state officials had requested a National Guard deployment -- or had formally signed off on it -- the White House didn't respond.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Like Kiko, the center of dozens of storms passed close enough to leave impacts from winds, rain and rough seas.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
During her tenure, council passed the Unified Development Ordinance, which is a comprehensive zoning and land development rulebook intended to guide future growth.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ordained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordained. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share