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to preordain

to preordain

8 8.8
To decide or arrange something before it happens, often by fate
  • verb
  • /ˌpriːɔːrˈdeɪn/
translation icon : predestinar
  • Your case was preordained.
  • preordained outcome

They don't preordain or determine you to be depressed.

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Examples

Synonyms

to predetermine
vsto preordain
23 5.8

Decide or make a result likely before it happens

is about advance decisions often attributed to fate or a higher power
to prearrange
vsto preordain
8 4.1

To plan something ahead of time

is used for advance determination that may be by fate or higher power
to predestine
vsto preordain
6 9.2

To decide in advance, often by fate or God's will

is broader also used for nonreligious advance decisions
to predefine
vsto preordain
3 5.1

Decide and set something before it is needed

is used for advance decisions often involving fate or a higher power
to preselect
vsto preordain
3 3.7

Choose something in advance

is stronger referring to an overall advance decision often by fate or power
to foreordain
vsto preordain
  • Formal
1 9.9

Decide before it happens, often by a higher power

is used more widely for advance decisions not only supernatural ones
to predestinate
vsto preordain
  • Formal
1 9.9

Decide in advance that something will happen, often by fate or God

is more general meaning advance decision without formal ordaining
to prespecify
vsto preordain
1 7.8

Decide or say something before an event starts

is broader and can imply divine or fated advance determination
to preplan
vsto preordain
1 4.3

To decide what to do before something happens

is broader meaning a prior decision sometimes by fate or power
to predesignate
vsto preordain
8.0

To choose something in advance for a certain use, like seats or funds

is about deciding or determining ahead sometimes by fate or power
to preconcert
vsto preordain
8.4

Plan something together in advance

is the idea of advance determination that can be divine rather than agreed

How Decided

to foreordain
  • Formal
1 9.9
to preordain
8 8.8
to plan
1.0
to intend
2.4

Surface Forms

preordain infinitive
preordained past participle
preordaining present participle
preordains third person singular

Morphology

preordain = ordain (transparent) = pre + ordain

The meaning is a straightforward application of 'pre-' to 'ordain', meaning to ordain or determine beforehand.

Etymology

The word preordain combines pre- meaning 'before' and ordain meaning 'to order', the same root as order. So, to preordain something is to 'decide before', often used when people think fate or a higher power has already set the outcome.