divine 1 of 3

1
2
as in heavenly
of, relating to, or being God for these divine gifts let us be truly thankful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divine

2 of 3

noun

divine

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divine different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of divine are anticipate, foreknow, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

When could anticipate be used to replace divine?

Although the words anticipate and divine have much in common, anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.

the waiter anticipated our every need

When might foreknow be a better fit than divine?

The synonyms foreknow and divine are sometimes interchangeable, but foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

When can foresee be used instead of divine?

While the synonyms foresee and divine are close in meaning, foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of divine
Adjective
Thank you so much to the most beautiful divine woman, heart, soul, mind…, Lana. Ashley Vega, People.com, 4 July 2025 What feels like a delay can actually be divine timing in disguise. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Noun
Ninigi brought with him three objects: a mirror, a jewel, and a sword—sacred objects that to this day are the imperial regalia of Japan, symbolizing the emperor’s connection to the divine. Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025 For centuries the resinous sap—which, when dried and burned, was said to smell of the divine—was one of the most valuable commodities in the world. Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
Ceasefire or not, divining exactly where the Trump administration stands is made all but impossible by Trump’s volatility. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 23 June 2025 With the Fed usually circumspect about its outlook, investors often hope to divine some greater understanding about the fate of the U.S. economy. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for divine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divine
Adjective
  • This no-churn ice cream recipe extracts all the wonderful flavor from the corn by simmering both the kernels and cobs in whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk to make sure every bite is filled with corn flavor.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
  • So many wonderful age gap and power dynamics going on in this novel that really set the tone for a whole generation of writers to come.
    Hattie Williams July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Cromlix has recently introduced a whole bath time ritual which includes having your bath drawn for you, laden with heavenly essential oils, a relaxing playlist pumped into the expansive bathrooms and LED candles softly lighting the room.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • This is the nature of heavenly bliss: to be happy with one’s lot and never look back.
    Mary Jo Bang July 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • And, over time, fewer new European priests arrived in Kongo, making translation less necessary.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 12 July 2025
  • One particular enemy of Gauguin’s was Bishop Martin, a Catholic priest on Hiva Oa who did his best to stomp out local custom, forbidding tattooing, Polynesian dancing, and the customary practice of polyandry.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • The company anticipates cleanup efforts to wrap up at the end of August, but the target may be adjusted as needed to ensure safety.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Rehearse your key points out loud, anticipate curveball questions, and get comfortable in the pressure zone.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • This Dyson model is lightweight and has powerful suction and motorized tools that are excellent for getting hair out of carpets and upholstery.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • There is not a lot of room, but the midfielder is excellent at operating in tight spaces.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Regardless of region, a memorable melody remains the holy grail.
    Faye Bradley, Variety, 4 July 2025
  • On paper, unlimited PTO sounds like the holy grail of benefits a company can offer its employees—the ability to take endless vacations and avoid burnout.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Balmer, who visited him in Baton Rouge while researching a 1998 magazine piece about the disgraced preacher, said Swaggart struggled mightily after his fall from grace.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 2 July 2025
  • The television preacher from Louisiana died Tuesday, as announced on his public Facebook page.
    EW.com, EW.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • What the optimists did not foresee was that power could eventually shift back.
    SARAH BUSH, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
  • Many business leaders and others remain rattled because most people did not foresee the massive tariffs that Trump rolled out earlier this year.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Divine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divine. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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