predestine

USAGE SUMMARY

“predestine” is a valid word in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that someone or something is destined to have a particular outcome without any outside interference. For example, “My fate was predestined from the moment I was born."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

While the Equinox shares its basic chassis design with the Vue, the similarity does not predestine it to the same failure; the Chevy has a longer wheelbase, a different body structure and distinct suspension tuning.

The New York Times

Human beings are not born alike, but with different abilities that predestine them for different tasks in a well-ordered state.

SEP

Eriugena argues in De divina praedestinatione that God, being perfectly good, wants all humans to be saved, and does not predestine souls to damnation.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

One notion (associated with Semi-Pelagianism, some forms of nominalism, and Arminianism) makes foreknowledge the ground of predestination and teaches that God predestined to salvation those whose future faith and merits he foreknew.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Others, especially Calvinists, emphasizing God's sovereignty and initiative, taught "double predestination," which asserted that God predestined some people to be saved and others to be damned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gregory reacted by charging that both the theory of the privative cause and the notion of the positive cause of predestination in those who are predestined are Pelagian.

SEP

Astrologers who pretend to read our fates from the stars can be answered with a quip from Epicurus: if all that comes to pass is predestined, so is the belief in predestination, and we therefore have no reason to think it true (Philokalia 25.4).

SEP

Weber rejected this idea, claiming that Protestantism triggered capitalism: the Calvinist idea of predestination led individuals to try to prove, by amassing capital, that they were predestined for heaven (see Calvinism).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The violence is not predestined to worsen, despite the setbacks of the past month.

The Economist

In urban Europe, there is nothing predestined about the clash of civilisations.

The Economist

The authors are sceptical for the most part, plausibly of claims that the growth rates of economies are largely predestined by culture or geography, as books such as "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations" by David Landes or Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs and Steel" suggest.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "predestine", consider whether a more neutral term like "determine in advance" would be more appropriate for your context.

Common error

Avoid using "predestined" when you mean "destined". "Predestined" implies a prior decision or decree, while "destined" simply suggests a likely outcome.

Linguistic Context

"Predestine" functions as a verb, typically transitive, indicating the act of determining or deciding something's fate beforehand. As seen in Ludwig, it suggests a prior decision influencing future events. The Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "predestine" is a verb used to indicate that something's fate has been determined in advance. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid word in written English. As shown by Ludwig, its usage leans towards formal and academic contexts, often found in sources like encyclopedias, scientific texts, and news articles. While grammatically correct, it's relatively rare. Consider synonyms like "preordain" or "foreordain" for similar meanings. Be mindful of the subtle difference between "predestine" and "destine" to maintain precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preordain

Focuses on a divine or higher power's role in determining the future.

foreordain

Similar to preordain, but may imply a more formal or theological context.

predestinate

A direct synonym, often used in theological or philosophical discussions.

pre-determine

Less commonly used, but carries the same core meaning.

determine in advance

A more neutral phrasing, suitable for various contexts.

destine

Slightly weaker than "predestine", implying a likely but not certain outcome.

seal someone's fate

Emphasizes the finality and inevitability of the outcome.

make inevitable

Focuses on the actions that lead to an unavoidable conclusion.

doom

Implies a negative or undesirable outcome.

ordain

Suggests a formal or official decree regarding the future.

FAQs

How can I use "predestine" in a sentence?

You can use "predestine" to describe something that has been determined in advance or foreordained. For example, "The outcome of the game was "predestined" from the start."

What's a more formal synonym for "predestine"?

Alternatives include "foreordain" or "preordain", which emphasize a divine or higher power's role.

Is it correct to say something is 'predestined'?

Yes, "predestined" is the adjective form of "predestine" and is used to describe something whose course has been determined in advance.

What is the difference between "predestine" and "destine"?

"Predestine" implies a prior decision or decree, while "destine" suggests a likely outcome without necessarily implying a prior decision. Something can be "destined" to happen due to circumstances, but "predestined" suggests it was always meant to be.