DIVINE Synonyms: 245 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

divine 1 of 3

adjective

də-ˈvīn

Definition of divine

as in wonderful

of the very best kind how about a piece of the most divine apple pie I've ever tasted!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in priest

a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church the great influence exerted by the Puritan divines in the Massachusetts Bay Colony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divine

3 of 3

verb

as in to anticipate

to realize or know about beforehand it was easy to divine his intention of asking his girlfriend to marry him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

There’s plenty of decadence to go around, not only in the amenities and treatments but culinarily speaking—a surprise seven-course chef’s table dinner at Rumari Counter is good for the soul—and the combination is divine. — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026 Our argument is not that ChatGPT is the new Delphic oracle, or that most people believe AI is divine. — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

Some interpreters contend that the many gods are manifestations of the singular transcendent divine. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 The Saint Francis of Assisi painted in 1636 by Francisco de Zurbarán is in this sense a kind of periscope on the divine. — Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

Habermas shares Horkheimer and Adorno’s doubts about such a scheme, which puts too much faith in individuals’ ability to divine truth on their own. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 According to Esteve Umbert, one of the architects, Guadì also left geometric clues to help with construction, such as a hyperbolic paraboloid used to divine the shape of a church spire. — Seth Doane, CBS News, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for divine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divine

Adjective

There is a wonderful museum in the park that interactively showcases the landscape and cultural history of the Chacabuco Valley as well as this part of the region's ecological loss and path to recovery.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Howell and Sloyan are quite wonderful in these moments, and Howell is exceptional throughout.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

The duo think they’re headed to the heavenly afterlife only to arrive at the office of the Devil (voiced by Culkin), who seems overwhelmed by his job.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
To qualify for beatification, the Vatican normally requires one miracle attributable to the faithful seeking the candidate's heavenly prayers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of heavenly

Noun

The Vatican has long looked the other way when priests were accused of abuse involving adults, especially if the priests were bishops.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Jeremy Irons co-stars as Jesuit priest Father Gabriel, who challenges Mendoza to undergo penance.

— Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of priest

Adjective

Her shoes are already a favorite among industry insiders for their sleek appeal and excellent construction.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
In late September, the concept was thrust back into the public consciousness thanks to a Variety interview with actor Jack Innanen, who plays the Canadian himbo Paul Baker on the excellent sitcom Adults.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

Groff’s writing is always transcendent, and her prose is especially on display in Matrix’s passages of holy visions, bodily lust, and political power.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Gifting the roses to holy shrines, images or basilicas separates them from any suggestion of political and religious alliance or favoritism.

— Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of holy

Noun

The film chronicled Gortner’s youth as a Pentecostal preacher in the American South and exposed the deceptive practices used to bilk believers out of their money.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
In the halcyon days of the televangelists, when Jim Bakker stood shoulder to shoulder with fire and brimstone preachers such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and Jimmy Swaggart, the collection plate always seemed bottomless.

— Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of preacher

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“Divine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divine. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of divine

adjective

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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10 Godly Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on divine

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