ORDAIN Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

ordain

verb

ȯr-ˈdān

Definition of ordain

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

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

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 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 Wexler was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2017. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 He was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1985 and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2010. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2026 The ceremony was officiated by actor Adam Sandler, who is legally ordained. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ordain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain

Verb

Some survive because treatment works, not because the cancer was detected earlier; others survive because they were overdiagnosed (diagnosed with a cancer not destined to cause symptoms or death).

— H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
If not, they are destined to bow out much earlier than anyone wants.

— Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of destine

Verb

Four years ago, Tennessee's governor ordered another independent review into capital punishment after abruptly stopping the April 2022 execution of Oscar Smith.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
The pool was reportedly ordered to remain closed until further inspection, according to the complaint.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of order

Verb

No payment is requested or exchanged at any point during the selection, evaluation or ranking process; inclusion is based solely on the methodology.

— Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Others, like Ashra, are requested in advance for Shirodhara therapy, while many guests book Bernie for acupuncture and cupping.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

And because of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act passed earlier this year, the company appears to be on track to have taxpayers foot the bill.

— H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
It was intended to be a casino, but when the law to legalize casinos didn’t pass, the property was sold.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026