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
By obtaining a minister license, the Oscar winner can now be ordained in the future.
—
Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
Russell Thaw, a close friend of the couple, who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated.
—Shivani Vora, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
During the ceremony, Denzel was also presented with a minister license so that he can be ordained in the future.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
On Saturday, the Gladiator II star was baptized, receiving a certificate of baptism, as well as a minister’s license, meaning that he can later get ordained.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ordain 
Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
Russell Thaw, a close friend of the couple, who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated.
—Shivani Vora, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
During the ceremony, Denzel was also presented with a minister license so that he can be ordained in the future.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
On Saturday, the Gladiator II star was baptized, receiving a certificate of baptism, as well as a minister’s license, meaning that he can later get ordained.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
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Although teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels, and Seattle Mariners could still make sense for Alonso, he seems destined to remain in Queens.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
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Those forces seem destined to converge as consumers continue to demand high-quality, timeless pieces — but also a more accessible price point and less environmental impact.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
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He was given probation and ordered to attend 52 weeks of a domestic violence intervention program.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
29 Jan. 2025
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Roll up in your six-seat golf cart, light up a stogie with the crew and order a filet mignon.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The preeminent art show Documenta, which takes place once every five years in Kassel, Germany, has enacted a new code of conduct three years after an antisemitism scandal roiled its 2022 edition.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
6 Feb. 2025
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Over the past two city budget cycles, Adams enacted deep cuts to nearly all agencies, resulting in libraries ending universal seven-day service and parks going without some cleaning shifts, among various other public-facing service disruptions.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Perhaps possible future initiatives will be doomed to fail as well, but for now, better to be prepared for anything.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
1 Feb. 2025
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As Guy Fawkes walked to the gallows on January 31, 1606, doomed to execution for his part in an unsuccessful attempt to blow up London’s Houses of Parliament, no one knew just what was going through his mind.—
Laura Kiniry,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Butler, 35, was at odds with the Heat over his contract and had requested a trade last month.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC News,
6 Feb. 2025
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Instead of signing petitions in parking lots, for example, voters would have to request one through their supervisor’s office.—
Lawrence Mower,
Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Senate could soon take the first step toward passing President Donald Trump‘s agenda as House Republicans struggle to reach a deal on budget cuts.—
David Sivak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
4 Feb. 2025
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State regulations give insurers more latitude to raise premiums in exchange for issuing policies in high-risk areas, including consideration of climate change in premiums and passing the costs of reinsurance to consumers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ordain
Cite this Entry
“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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