formal 1 of 2

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as in titular
being something in name or form only was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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formal

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word formal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of formal are ceremonial, ceremonious, and conventional. While all these words mean "marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms," formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report
the headmaster's formal manner

How do ceremonial and ceremonious relate to one another, in the sense of formal?

Ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies.

a ceremonial offering

When is ceremonious a more appropriate choice than formal?

While in some cases nearly identical to formal, ceremonious applies to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

When would conventional be a good substitute for formal?

In some situations, the words conventional and formal are roughly equivalent. However, conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional courtesy
conventional fiction

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 formal
Adjective
And on Tuesday, a day before his confirmation hearing, a whistleblower filed a formal complaint alleging Bove planned to knowingly defy court orders and withhold information from judges about the administration's deportation agenda. Carrie Johnson, NPR, 25 June 2025 Pioneer’s formal notice comes after the practice was revealed by Daniel Swift, a principal at the global tax consulting firm Ryan that represents a number of commercial property owners in Boston, and reported on this month by the Herald. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
Noun
Hell's Kitchen; Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's exploration of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos' rise and fall in the Philippines; and the adaptation of the 2015 documentary How to Dance in Ohio, about a group of teenagers with autism preparing for a spring formal. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024 Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for formal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formal
Adjective
  • In Virginia, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held for rebuilding the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, one of the nation's oldest Black churches.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 June 2025
  • Based on the blade decorations, sheath shape and burial location on Okinoshima, researchers concluded the 1,300-year-old artifact was made to be a ritual offering or to have a ceremonial purpose, not to be a functional weapon.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Netflix Bernthal will be appearing alongside Tom Holland as the titular Spider-Man with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon returning as MJ and Ned as well.
    Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
  • All do so, apart from the titular madman, who has a mysterious reason to stay behind.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ogden's #75 dons the back of one fan, Kris Prowse, who has opted – on this ceremonious day – to wear the jersey that started it all.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • An eloquent necklace and matching earrings alongside delicate rings were styled as a part of her red carpet look.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 27 June 2025
  • Ambient background music plays, and eloquent placemats beckon you to your spot at the table.
    Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • This is a panic attack for his narrator, but a dance number for the rest of us.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 June 2025
  • In 1979, shortly after purchasing the Lakers, Buss commissioned the first Laker Girls dance team.
    Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • And then there were the potential ills of a conventional approach, like fumes spewed by laminate flooring.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • Perhaps this abundance of conventional warfare was why the competitive multiplayer modes never became an online sensation?
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Treats and train rides are available for a nominal fee.
    Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Presumably, the series can conclude when our nominal adults finally do get grown.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hollywood studios and craftspeople may be busy agonizing over the proper role of AI’s potential within the film industry, but Chinese studios aren’t slowing down.
    Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
  • Most interesting is Cane’s prim and proper wife, Peyton (Danielle Campbell).
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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