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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordaining
Verb
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But videos captured by other observers and members of the public show an ICE agent approaching a Honda Pilot that was stopped on a snowy road and ordering the driver — later identified as Good — to open the door before grabbing the handle.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026 -
The wrong ordering principle Powerful forces militate against the idea of organizing the world into spheres-of-influence.—
Comfort Ero,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Starring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough as the psychotic couple enacting his redemption plan, the film is described as a sharp social commentary.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
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Costco was among the largest of more than 1,000 retailers that sued, arguing that the president had exceeded his emergency powers in enacting some of the tariffs.—
Shelly Banjo,
semafor.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Vikings outgained the Cowboys, 311 to 183 yards, but committed five turnovers, dooming the home team to defeat.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
25 Dec. 2025
-
Eberle deposited the puck into the vacated cage with 35 seconds to play, dooming the Ducks with his second goal of the night.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The two were found by Portland police in a different location from where the shooting occurred after responding to a call from a man requesting help.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Minutes later, police received a call from a different location from a man who said he’d been shot by federal officers and was requesting help, according to Day and dispatch audio.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So now, the ramshackle Coinjock School sits in the restaurant’s backyard and his plan for restoration keeps getting more ambitious with each passing year.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
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Sammis runs a pro-style scheme that prioritizes a strong run game and being efficient with the passing attack.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ordaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordaining. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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