What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
preordained
Example
The priest believed that the couple's marriage was preordained by God. [preordained: adjective]
Example
The prophecy seemed to suggest that the end of the world was preordained. [preordained: verb]
predetermined
Example
The winner of the competition had been predetermined by the judges. [predetermined: adjective]
Example
The company had predetermined a budget for the project before it even began. [predetermined: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Predetermined is more commonly used than preordained in everyday language. Predetermined is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while preordained is less common and refers to a specific belief in divine intervention.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between preordained and predetermined?
Both preordained and predetermined are formal words, but preordained may be considered more formal due to its religious or spiritual connotations.
