predestine

verb

pre·​des·​tine (ˌ)prē-ˈde-stən How to pronounce predestine (audio)
predestined; predestining; predestines
Synonyms of predestinenext

transitive verb

: to destine, decree, determine, appoint, or settle beforehand
especially : predestinate sense 1

Synonyms of predestine

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Examples of predestine in a Sentence

our victory in the tournament was seemingly predestined
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.
At the same time, nothing is predestined. — Ray Dalio, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026 There are nights in football when the outcome seems predestined. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 May 2026 Josh Allen plowed his way through, as if predestined to cross the plane fully upright. — Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 Ferrari Given his name, Adam Driver was seemingly predestined to play the man behind the world's most prestigious sports car. — Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predestine

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French predestiner, from Latin praedestinare, from prae- + destinare to determine — more at destine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of predestine was in the 14th century

Rhymes for predestine

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Browse Nearby Words

predestinator
predestine
predestiny
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

predestine

verb
pre·​des·​tine (ˈ)prē-ˈdes-tən How to pronounce predestine (audio)
: to decide beforehand especially by divine command

More from Merriam-Webster on predestine

Nglish: Translation of predestine for Spanish Speakers

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