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
The two were wed on May 10 by Michael Bobo, who was ordained through the Supreme Council of the House of Jacob, with 215 guests in attendance, at Sans Souci Ballroom in Houston.
—
Jenny Block, New York Times, 16 May 2025
There is Chekhov, yes, but in American film the gun going off is ordained by the greater cults of marketable violence.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Many denominations of Christianity do not require the person baptizing someone to be ordained.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2025
After his time in St. Louis, Prevost went on to study at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University, before he was ordained in June 1982.
—Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Jenny Block, New York Times, 16 May 2025
There is Chekhov, yes, but in American film the gun going off is ordained by the greater cults of marketable violence.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Many denominations of Christianity do not require the person baptizing someone to be ordained.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2025
After his time in St. Louis, Prevost went on to study at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University, before he was ordained in June 1982.
—Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
-
He seems destined to earn a lucrative deal on the open market.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
-
But this step is essential so as to not create a program destined to fail.—
Robert Hoban,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After being found not guilty, a judge ordered him committed to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline for a period of at most 60 days.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
-
Beth Mead, having lost her footing and touched the ball twice while converting the initial penalty, was ordered to retake it (a legacy of the furore involving Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last season).—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Who won Power of Veto on ‘Big Brother’? Keanu enacted his power, which allowed a former houseguest to come in and play in the Power of Veto competition for him.—
David Wysong,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
-
Strengthening the state’s mental health parity law enacted in 2019, SB 10 enables the state to issue fines up to $625,000 if insurance companies do not comply.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
With Armstead retiring this offseason, Paul’s under the microscope, and his ability to anchor the Dolphins’ offensive line will either stabilize the unit, or doom the season because the Dolphins don’t have a capable backup behind him.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
29 July 2025
-
Besides, the moment of boundless technocracy was over, doomed by deficits and a sharp swerve in the public mood.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Law enforcement determined the child is not a runaway, and a custody dispute is not the sole reason for requesting an activation.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
-
Lawyers will also be able to object to the unsealing of filings and request redactions as documents are considered in tranches, newest to oldest, the judge added.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
That legislation went through a nearly year-long debate, with committees in the House and Senate both holding several hearings and amending the legislation before it was ultimately passed in Nov. 2023.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
24 July 2025
-
As days pass, the two men form a deep bond, opening up about their regrets, dreams and the loneliness of facing death too soon.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share