Synonym question: select the word that is closest in meaning to "to ordain"

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks you to select the synonym of the verb "to ordain". The word is often used in religious as well as formal contexts. Knowing both its literal and extended meanings will help you choose the closest matching word from the options. Synonym questions check whether you understand subtle shades of meaning in English verbs.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target verb: "to ordain".
• Options: "to anoint", "to retract", "to veto", and "to void".
• We must look for the closest overall meaning, not just partial overlap.
• We assume common usage in both religious and official contexts.

Concept / Approach:
"To ordain" has two main senses. In a religious sense, it means to make someone a priest or minister by a special ceremony. In a more general legal or formal sense, it means to order or decree something officially. Among the choices, "to anoint" is the closest match because in religious contexts it also refers to a ceremonial act of appointing or consecrating someone, often with oil. The other options ("retract", "veto", and "void") express cancelling or rejecting something, which is the opposite direction of creating or establishing.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the primary meanings of "to ordain": to officially make someone a priest or to officially order or decree something. Step 2: Evaluate "to anoint": this means to put oil on someone as part of a religious ceremony, often to show that the person is chosen or consecrated for a holy office. Step 3: Notice that both "ordain" and "anoint" share the idea of official or religious appointment, making them close in meaning. Step 4: Evaluate "to retract": this means to take back a statement or promise, which is unrelated to appointing or decreeing. Step 5: Evaluate "to veto": this means to refuse to approve a decision, again involving rejection rather than appointment. Step 6: Evaluate "to void": this means to cancel or make something invalid, which is opposite to establishing or ordering. Step 7: Conclude that "to anoint" is the synonym that best matches the word "ordain".

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider example sentences. "The bishop will ordain five new priests on Sunday" and "The bishop will anoint the new priests during the ceremony" are closely related uses. In contrast, "The bishop will veto five new priests" or "void five new priests" make no sense. In non religious use, "The court ordained that the policy be changed" could be loosely compared with "the court decreed that", but none of the given alternatives cover that meaning better than "anoint" covers the ceremonial aspect.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: "To retract" is about taking back a statement and is semantically distant from making an official appointment. Option C: "To veto" refers to rejecting or blocking a decision, the opposite direction from ordaining something into effect. Option D: "To void" is to cancel or make null and void, again a cancelling action rather than an appointing or decreeing action.

Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is focusing only on the legal meaning of "ordain" and looking for a verb about rules or laws, which might cause confusion if no perfect match appears among the options. In such cases, falling back on the more familiar religious meaning and checking for ceremonial or consecrating verbs is a good strategy. Another mistake is picking a negative verb like "void" just because it sounds formal. Always check whether the core idea of the target word is preserved.

Final Answer:
The closest synonym for "to ordain" in this set is "to anoint", so option A is correct.