solemnity

noun

so·​lem·​ni·​ty sə-ˈlem-nə-tē How to pronounce solemnity (audio)
plural solemnities
Synonyms of solemnitynext
1
: formal or ceremonious observance of an occasion or event
2
: a solemn event or occasion
3
: a solemn condition or quality
the solemnity of his words

Examples of solemnity in a Sentence

the solemnity of the occasion Her voice conveyed the solemnity of the passage. The visiting statesman was welcomed with appropriate solemnity. Elaborate solemnities marked the 100th anniversary of the event.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
To that point, Lent is not all solemnity. ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 On February 10, after notching a silver in the men’s classic sprint, Ogden–six feet tall and lanky, with a bushy mustache–broke the solemnity of the medals ceremony. Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026 In the 1990s and 2000s, Sundance was an offbeat destination for Hollywood’s creative talent, rejecting the glitz of European festivals and the solemnity of awards season in favor of strong movies that garnered word-of-mouth interest. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026 The comments section features a piquant blend of solemnity, mortification, tastelessness, and transphobia, which accords with Moreschi’s reception in his lifetime. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solemnity

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of solemnity was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Solemnity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solemnity. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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