foreordain

1 of 2

verb

fore·​or·​dain ˌfȯr-ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce foreordain (audio)
foreordained; foreordaining; foreordains
Synonyms of foreordainnext

transitive verb

: to dispose or appoint in advance : predestine
foreordination
ˌfȯr-ˌȯr-də-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce foreordain (audio)
noun

foreordination

2 of 2

noun

: the quality or state of being foreordained
especially : predestination sense 2

Synonyms of foreordain

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Verb

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Examples of foreordain in a Sentence

Verb we are such good friends, it's almost like we were foreordained to meet
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
Wagner commented that in opera the orchestra should act as a medium of premonition, indicating what is foreordained but not yet foreseen. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 Before anything else is said about Lana Del Rey’s new album, let it be noted that however well the record came out, it was foreordained to come in second among her artistic works of the past year. — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2023 Pelosi is more than happy for additional evidence to be disclosed and for the Senate to call witnesses, even after the House has impeached and when the resolution of the trial is foreordained. — Matthew Continetti, National Review, 17 Jan. 2020 The outcome was not foreordained, for either Bork or Mr. Biden. — Alexander Burns, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for foreordain

Word History

Etymology

Noun

fore- + ordination

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreordain was in the 15th century

Rhymes for foreordain

See All Rhymes for foreordain

Browse Nearby Words

fore-oath
foreordain
foreordained
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foreordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreordain. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

foreordain

verb
fore·​or·​dain ˌfōr-ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce foreordain (audio)
ˌfȯr-
: to determine in advance : predestine

More from Merriam-Webster on foreordain

Nglish: Translation of foreordain for Spanish Speakers

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