1
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

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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 ordain But highly damaged Mark, whose upbringing was evidently a nightmare of abuse, has found salvation, or at least escape: He’s ordained himself a servant of the Lord, holding improvisational services in the prison chapel to a paltry flock. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 June 2025 Pope Leo was ordained in 1981 and is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. Mark Guarino, ABC News, 14 June 2025 It is not ordained that a currency and a nation will hold its place at the center of commerce. Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025 Leo was ordained in 1981 as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ordain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordain
Verb
  • And, naturally, all of that means its hotels are destined to be intimate and comfy, too.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
  • The company now makes about 1,000 flags per day, with many destined for military funerals, government buildings and patriotic front porches nationwide.
    Olivianna Calmes, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, Trump has ordered billions of dollars in federal research grants to be cut, which would gut research on cancer, HIV, sickle cell disease, and more.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 15 July 2025
  • At his arraignment Sunday night at Brooklyn Criminal Court, he was ordered held on bail of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, deep tax cuts enacted in 2023 with subsequent cuts each year have had a limited impact on growth, O’Leary said, while reducing state revenue.
    Scott Cohn, CNBC, 12 July 2025
  • In part, Merriman says, because of Beijing enacting tougher environmental regulations at home in 2015, regulations that pushed Chinese firms to set up shop with local partners next door.
    Michael Sullivan, NPR, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Instead of wasting resources on a venture doomed by structural realities, Musk should pursue a strategy that actually works in American politics: identifying vulnerable Republican incumbents who voted for fiscal irresponsibility and funding primary challengers committed to genuine conservatism.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • Was the project doomed by the economic realities of globalization, the competitive landscape in the smartphone business, or were Google’s shifting corporate priorities ultimately to blame?
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Personnel requested ground and air ambulances, and began performing life-saving measures.
    Theresa Clift July 12, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
  • In July 2022, Citizens’ Board of Governors approved allowing the company to modify its policies with a rider that gave Citizens or its policyholders the right to request arbitration by DOAH.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The four-mile trail passes through groves of Great Basin bristlecone pines, with trunks weathered by centuries of snow and sun.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
  • In contrast, a green placard means a restaurant passed inspection.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated July 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordain. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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