preordain

verb

pre·​or·​dain ˌprē-ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce preordain (audio)
preordained; preordaining; preordains
Synonyms of preordainnext

transitive verb

: to decree or ordain in advance : foreordain
preordainment
ˌprē-ȯr-ˈdān-mənt How to pronounce preordain (audio)
noun
preordination
(ˌ)prē-ˌȯr-də-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce preordain (audio)
noun

Synonyms of preordain

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Examples of preordain in a Sentence

my wife and I are such soulmates, I'm convinced that our marriage was preordained
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.
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 See All Example Sentences for preordain

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preordain was in 1533

Rhymes for preordain

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Browse Nearby Words

preorbital
preordain
preordainment
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Cite this Entry

“Preordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preordain. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preordain

Nglish: Translation of preordain for Spanish Speakers

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