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
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Recent Examples of ordain
He was ordained a priest in Rome and studied there until 1984, shuttling between church leadership positions in Chicago and Peru until 2023.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
But should a non-bishop is chosen, he would be ordained a bishop before becoming pope.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Pope Francis was ordained a priest in December 1969.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
He was ordained in 1904, and was named a cardinal and the patriarch of Venice in 1953.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
But should a non-bishop is chosen, he would be ordained a bishop before becoming pope.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Pope Francis was ordained a priest in December 1969.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
He was ordained in 1904, and was named a cardinal and the patriarch of Venice in 1953.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
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What look like high-end picnic tables stacked by the dozens inside the warehouse are actually merchandise display tables, of varying heights, destined for retailers Gap and Old Navy, Philip Rosenband said.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
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Matos hit a line drive that appeared destined for right field.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Then, in a December 2023 decision, in a partial redo of that arbitration, Arbitrator Roger Kaplan ordered France to pay Bernstein $810,846.67, including $450,000 in punitive damages for his conduct.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
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Bronx Criminal Court Judge Audrey Stone on Wednesday ordered that Jeremy Cortorreal spend the next two decades behind bars for killing Lisette Gomez back on March 21, 2023.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
Verb
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At a moment when many working people feel ignored by both major political parties, this is a unique and meaningful opportunity for Gov. Ned Lamont to demonstrate his commitment to working class voters by enacting policies that protect them and their jobs.—
Ed Hawthorne,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
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More than a half dozen states have enacted laws placing restrictions on diversity efforts at state institutions such as colleges and universities.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Now, attention is turning to whether sustainability expectations set by major platforms can actually trickle down to reshape fashion into something fundamentally more sustainable—or whether such initiatives are inherently doomed to be disconnected from material change.—
Nicole Rycroft,
Sourcing Journal,
19 May 2025
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David Ramos / Getty Images) Your Next Read Premier League top-five odds: Chelsea in trouble, Nottingham Forest doomed? Champions League final odds, betting predictions: Inter or Paris Saint-Germain?—
Julia Ranney,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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That’s how Phil Robertson, who found fame and fortune through his hunting-business empire and some controversy but also popularity for his outspoken religious and political beliefs, requested people respond to his death.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
26 May 2025
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Prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York wrote to the judge requesting the man be incarcerated before trial.—
Evan Mealins,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
Verb
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The bipartisan bill had sailed through the Senate and passed the House by a vote of 409–2.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
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By 2006, when Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act, a law designed to criminalize online gambling in all of its various forms, from poker to sports betting, the NFL had completely abandoned its objections to fantasy.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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