Choose the Right Synonym for ceremonial

Adjective

ceremonial, ceremonious, formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms. 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 , ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony. made his ceremonious entrance 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 conventional implies accord with general custom and usage conventional courtesy and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence. conventional fiction

Examples of ceremonial in a Sentence

Adjective The tribe has different ceremonial masks for each ceremony. His new position is largely ceremonial because all the decisions are actually made by a committee. Noun a number of religious ceremonials the funeral of a pope is usually marked by rich pageantry and elaborate ceremonials

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Many have opted to focus on the social and ceremonial functions of their office, providing input and advice behind the scenes, or have appeared to shun politics altogether. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | LAUREN A. WRIGHT: Profiling the perfect first lady," 4 Jan. 2021 That includes a fan-friendly ceremonial start a day earlier that usually attracts thousands of people in Anchorage. — Mark Thiessen, Star Tribune, "Virus restrictions lead Norwegian champ to drop Iditarod," 23 Nov. 2020 During Organization Day, the ceremonial start of the 2021 legislative session this week, Speaker of the House Rep. Todd Huston, R-Fishers, outlined various priorities for the session. — Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, "Indiana's energy future: Report praises renewables but doesn't rule out fossil fuels," 21 Nov. 2020 While his brother served as the diplomatic and ceremonial head of state, Prince Khalifa became prime minister, giving him oversight of the government and economy. — Ben Hubbard, New York Times, "Khalifa Bin Salman al-Khalifa, Leader of Bahrain’s Government, Dies at 84," 11 Nov. 2020 Applicants should be able to claim revenue losses of more than 35% compared to their previous five years of average revenue or negative impacts to their subsistence, cultural or ceremonial fisheries. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Misinformation, gig economy, ‘Fair Tax’ defeat: News from around our 50 states," 5 Nov. 2020 The Oba of Lagos, the region’s traditional but ceremonial king, had to be evacuated from his palace by the military. — Joe Parkinson, WSJ, "Young Nigerians Came to Protest Police Brutality. Then the Shooting Started.," 23 Oct. 2020 Founded 5,700 years ago, the Ohlone settlement served as a burial and ceremonial ground, as well as a repository of shells, ritual objects and artifacts forming a massive mound. — Elissaveta M. Brandon, Smithsonian Magazine, "Eleven Historic Places in America That Desperately Need Saving," 28 Sep. 2020 The site served as a burial and ceremonial ground, as well as a lookout with the repository of shells, ritual objects and artifacts forming a massive mound at the center of a string of fishing villages. — J.k. Dineen, SFChronicle.com, "Berkeley native American site slated for homes named a key endangered historic place," 24 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | AMY DACEY: Who declares the presidential winner?," 27 Sep. 2020 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | AMY DACEY: Who declares the presidential winner?," 27 Sep. 2020 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | AMY DACEY: Who declares the presidential winner?," 27 Sep. 2020 Speaking of experts and politicians, a Palm Beach County position that is typical thought of as ceremonial was anything but that for Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner. — Eileen Kelley, sun-sentinel.com, "2020 is a year of surprises. Will it shake up the races in Palm Beach County?," 16 Oct. 2020 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | AMY DACEY: Who declares the presidential winner?," 27 Sep. 2020 Coming at the very pinnacle of Paris, the fashion ceremonial that is the Louis Vuitton show is always the grand finale, the last word, on the very last day, of a month of shows in four capitals. — Sarah Mower, Vogue, "“Today, There Is No Question—You Have to Do the Right Thing”: Nicolas Ghesquière Shares His Hopes for the Future of Fashion," 6 Oct. 2020 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | AMY DACEY: Who declares the presidential winner?," 27 Sep. 2020 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | AMY DACEY: Who declares the presidential winner?," 27 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ceremonial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.