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
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 Whatever happened—injury, illness, flood, or drought—felt preordained, part of God’s grand scheme. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 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 What wasn’t preordained is just how beautifully executed the entire venture turns out to be. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026 Will this year’s Oscar awards be another fait accompli, a bloated snoozer that’s as boring and seemingly preordained as this year’s Super Bowl? — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preordained
  1. predetermined
  2. destined
  3. foreordained
  4. doomed
  5. predestined
  6. ordained
  7. possible
  8. probable
Adjective
  • The attacker is no longer simply automating a predetermined sequence of steps.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nakogee recalls cutting predetermined lengths of cable, then repackaging it onto spools to load onto cargo aircraft.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026
Definition of predetermined
Verb
  • Over the coming months, avionics, scientific instruments and thermal insulation will gradually transform the frame into the flying science laboratory destined for the outer solar system.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Florian Maurice, the former Rennes technical director, is telling a story about Jeremy Jacquet and how the Frenchman was destined for the top.
    — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 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
  • Even without their bad business decisions, Twain’s venture was likely doomed, along with the subscription publishing industry, for books were getting radically cheaper, with ever-more competition.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But all of that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to struggle with an itchy, flaky scalp for the rest of your life.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of doomed
Adjective
  • In retrospect, Sumner seemed predestined to become a famous abolitionist lawyer.
    — Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
  • Christo and Jeanne-Claude disregarded all threats of legal action, directing Running Fence to complete its predestined voyage into the sea.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of predestined
Verb
  • So what if the credulous smallfolk now believe that the Usurper’s rule is ordained by the Gods?
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The program was slowly implemented, and the first native African ministers ordained in Kenya, Ishmael Semler and William Jones, were ordained in 1885.
    — Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of ordained
Adjective
  • Muso’s model of proactive community healthcare is showing what becomes possible when care moves closer to families.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2026
  • One possible trigger for bitcoin to break out of its unusually calm trading range could come from the bond market.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • The first term may make the second plausible, compatible or even probable, but plausibility is not identity, compatibility is not implication, probability is not necessity, and similarity of appearance is not proof of sameness of nature.
    — Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Officially, probable 2028 POTUS candidate Newsom’s office did not have anything to say about any deal or the end of any deal on SB 122.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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