1
as in destining
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 ordering
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 enacting
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 ordaining
Although Anglican churches in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, and New Zealand began ordaining women as priests as early as the 1970s, the Church of Nigeria resisted such developments.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordaining
Verb
-
Contact retailers for questions about products before ordering.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Scully granted the petition on December 20, 2024, ordering Dick to stay a minimum of 100 yards away from Buckingham, his wife, his son, their homes, and their vehicles for five years, and barring her from contacting the Buckingham family in any way.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kentner said this was the third citizen initiative put on the ballot in Lakewood in the past decade, a sign the city needs to do a better job talking to its 156,000 residents before enacting big changes to land-use policy.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
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Morelle said the purpose of the hearings — another is scheduled for later this week in San Francisco — is to hear from election and voting rights experts and to build a roadmap for enacting election reforms after the midterms if Democrats regain control of the House.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If that’s true, then the YIMBY activists pushing for zoning reforms around the country are making a terrible mistake, dooming themselves to repeating California’s failed experiment.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
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Just more than a minute after ignition, the ruptured booster caused the shuttle’s giant external fuel tank to explode, tearing the vehicle to pieces over the ocean and dooming all seven astronauts.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh has submitted required paperwork to the Senate, two people familiar with the matter said Monday, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive information ahead of its public release.—
Emily Wilkins,Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
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That phone call centered on Trump requesting that Zelensky look into the business dealings of Hunter Biden in Ukraine.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Adebayo entered 68 rebounds from passing Udonis Haslem for the franchise all-time lead, now with two games remaining this regular season.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2026
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The horse then runs into traffic, where it is struck by a passing car.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ordaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordaining. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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