preordained 1 of 2

adjective

as in destined

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preordained

2 of 2

verb

past tense of preordain
as in doomed
to determine the fate of in advance my wife and I are such soulmates, I'm convinced that our marriage was preordained

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 preordained
Verb
This mythologizing of a masculine, European (though crucially not British) version of Columbus supported burgeoning American ideals of Manifest Destiny (the idea that the United States was preordained to expand to the Pacific Ocean and beyond). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026 The script by Strippoli and Salvatore de Chirico shrewdly underplays that hand, instead cushioning the vanity factor in sincere parental concern for the children’s health, well-being and preordained path to success. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 One day, during my visit, Cole used a step stool to access a small cubbyhole in a high corner of a bedroom wall—a sort of illogical nook that seemed preordained to house some private, upsetting object. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 The literary poster child for the old type of soldier was Ernest Hemingway, who, like many men of his generation, had preordained military service as a child. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 Experts say the outcome of the review seems preordained, although the matter is playing out in unexplored legal territory. — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 Just because there is some constraint, doesn’t mean that your path has to be preordained. — Nir Bashan, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Given the slow start to his pro career, a spot at the World Cup, never mind the starting nod, was far from preordained. — Sean Gregory, Time, 10 June 2026 The purchase seems preordained, given that both Gert-Jan and Corinne, like Pascon and Boccara, are lively and curious intellectuals. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preordained
  1. predetermined
  2. destined
  3. foreordained
  4. doomed
  5. predestined
  6. ordained
  7. possible
  8. probable
Adjective
  • Players who find a match mark the square on their tabla with a bean or coin; the game continues until players finish predetermined objectives, such as completing a column, a row, the four corners, or the entire board.
    — Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • There is no outcome that doesn't have a predetermined excuse.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of predetermined
Verb
  • Despite his parents’ showbiz failures, Stallone was convinced that he was destined for success as an actor.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Many of his supporters believed Charlie was destined for the Oval Office one day.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of destined
Adjective
  • Her foray into television, which started in 2017, was not exactly foreordained.
    — Tammy LaGorce, New York Times, 14 May 2024
  • With all of those movements, when the central issue was really crystallized as a choice between what is clearly right and just, and what is clearly unjust and wrong and deadly and dangerous, then the outcome becomes foreordained.
    — Cara Buckley, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Definition of foreordained
Verb
  • In some cases, House Democrats are campaigning on the bill that’s doomed in its current form, presenting a further contrast to the vast majority of Senate Democrats who want nothing to do with it.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • On the other hand, don’t assume that everyone currently at HBO Max is safe and everyone at Paramount is doomed.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of doomed
Adjective
  • Hassouna and co-editor Denis LePaven pace the chronological patchwork of footage less as a story with a predestined shape, and more as shifting tiles of accumulating losses that the audience can traverse without being too overwhelmed.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In retrospect, Sumner seemed predestined to become a famous abolitionist lawyer.
    — Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Definition of predestined
Verb
  • It will also be broadcast by Catholic media giant EWTN and livestreamed on the YouTube channel of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, the diocese where Sheen was ordained.
    — Aleja Hertzler-McCain, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The Episcopal Church has allowed women to be in ministry since 1974, and Ashby was ordained by Lamb.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of ordained
Adjective
  • The South's joint chiefs said Saturday the military stepped up surveillance and vigilance for possible further launches from the North and was closely sharing information with the United States and Japan.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • As Yemen returns to a level of fighting intensity not seen since the 2022 truce, the civil war has entered a decisive phase, with several possible avenues forward.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin has been upgraded to probable after initially being listed as questionable.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Her students turn Percy Shelley into a misogynist and probable rapist, then attack the idea that anything written by such a man might remain worth reading.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of probable

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Cite this Entry

“Preordained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preordained. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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