Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb ordain

4 senses of ordain

Sense 1
ordain, enact -- (order by virtue of superior authority; decree; "The King ordained the persecution and expulsion of the Jews"; "the legislature enacted this law in 1985")
       => decree -- (issue a decree; "The King only can decree")

Sense 2
ordain, consecrate, ordinate, order -- (appoint to a clerical posts; "he was ordained in the Church")
       => invest, vest, enthrone -- (provide with power and authority; "They vested the council with special rights")

Sense 3
ordain -- (invest with ministerial or priestly authority; "The minister was ordained only last month")
       => invest, vest, enthrone -- (provide with power and authority; "They vested the council with special rights")

Sense 4
ordain -- (issue an order)
       => decree -- (issue a decree; "The King only can decree")