destine

verb

des·tine ˈde-stən

destined; destining

Synonyms of destine

transitive verb

: to decree beforehand : predetermine

was not destined to attain the throne

: to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance

believed their child was destined for high office

destined to succeed

a flaw that destines them to fail

: to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place

freight destined for European ports

Examples of destine in a Sentence

his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Vacant and fenced off after being declared unsafe in May 2023, the seven-story resort long known as the Grand Lady appears destined for redevelopment. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 Rodri is now not ruling out signing for the back-to-back La Liga champions after previously seeming destined for the Bernabeu. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Athletic and traditionally handsome, Thom is destined to become the Homecoming King. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026 When Aaron Donald retired from the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, his next stop seemed destined to be an induction ceremony into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for destine

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French destiner, from Latin destinare, from de- + -stinare (akin to Latin stare to stand) — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of destine was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Destine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destine. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

destine

verb

des·tine ˈdes-tən

destined; destining

: to settle in advance

a plan destined to fail

: to choose, assign, or dedicate in advance

destined their child for the study of law

: to be bound or directed

a ship destined for New York

destine

verb

Synonyms of destine

Examples of destine in a Sentence

Word History

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Kids Definition

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destine

verb

Synonyms of destine

Examples of destine in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for destine

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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