ordains

verb

present tense third-person singular of ordain
1
as in destines
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 orders
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 enacts
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 ordains And one of the tenets of that faith is that God ordains everything. — Scott Pelley, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordains
  1. dooms
  2. orders
  3. enacts
  4. dictates
  5. passes
  6. requests
Verb
  • This dooms the kingdom to the tyrannical rule of the villainous Priscilla (Nikki Glaser), who swoops in and snatches the throne.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 23 June 2026
  • Either way, Clark’s decision to deny reality and embrace his monster is what dooms him.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Definition of dooms
Verb
  • The physician performs a detailed history and physical examination, reviews prior films, discusses conservative management, and orders physical therapy plus non-opioid analgesics.
    — Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • In one of the most memorable scenes from Homer’s 2,800-year-old poem, Odysseus ties himself to a ship mast and orders his crew to plug their ears with beeswax, so as not to be lured in by the dulcet yet deadly songs of the Sirens.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of orders
Verb
  • Students, parents and community activists are hoping the board enacts the policy before the first day of school in August.
    — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Until Congress enacts a uniform national ban on partisan gerrymandering, the amendment’s advocates argue New York shouldn’t fight with its hands tied behind its back.
    — Jeffrey M. Wice, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026
Definition of enacts
Verb
  • In summer, Barcelona’s high humidity dictates lazy beach lounging followed by long meals on restaurant terraces.
    — Jessica Benavides Canepa, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2026
  • So much of their game flows through the Boca Juniors player, who dictates play from the base of midfield.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of dictates
Verb
  • But Hyundai projects that figure will fall to roughly $30,000 once cumulative output passes 50,000 units, largely due to almost an order of magnitude simplification in the Atlas build and materials, exclusively reported by Forbes.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Proper Beach Club passes, which include all-day fine dining, are $1250 for one day or $2250 for two.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 16 July 2026
Definition of passes
Verb
  • The board’s letter, addressed to Mayor Scott Wehrli and the Naperville City Council, requests that library officials remain updated on any decisions and discussions surrounding the project.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026
  • The petition also requests that the court authorize her mother to administer the estate under California’s Independent Administration of Estates Act and approve a $400,000 bond.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Definition of requests

Browse Nearby Words

ordaining
ordains
ordeal
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Cite this Entry

“Ordains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordains. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ordains

Nglish: Translation of ordains for Spanish Speakers

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