preordain

1 of 2

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

preordainment

2 of 2

noun

pre·​ordainment
plural -s
: the quality or state of being preordained

Synonyms of preordain

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Verb

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Examples of preordain in a Sentence

Verb my wife and I are such soulmates, I'm convinced that our marriage was preordained
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Verb
Sports are inherently fraught with tension, but some seem preordained to it more than others. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026 Given the slow start to his pro career, a spot at the World Cup, never mind the starting nod, was far from preordained. — Sean Gregory, Time, 10 June 2026 What wasn’t preordained is just how beautifully executed the entire venture turns out to be. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026 Some might assume that Gooding’s Hollywood career was preordained. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preordain

Word History

Etymology

Noun

preordain + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preordain

Nglish: Translation of preordain for Spanish Speakers

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