as in rituals
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
a beautiful, old-fashioned wedding ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of ceremonies
To honor his father's military service, Brunson, himself a retired Army vet, can also look forward to playing his trumpet at more local military ceremonies.
—
Kim Hudson, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Both the 99th and 100th Oscars ceremonies will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the 99th telecast airing on Sunday, March 14, 2027, followed by the 100th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 5, 2028.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Moments after the dates for the 2027 & 2028 Oscar ceremonies were announced, SAG-AFTRA revealed the date and time for next year’s Actor Awards.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
As was previously announced, these will be the final Oscars ceremonies held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and broadcast on ABC.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by Christians as the traditional site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026
The grounds overlooking the ocean just north of San Clemente Pier host Marine Corps and Navy celebrations, including Veterans Day events, memorial services, weddings and reenlistment ceremonies.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
Traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by Christians as the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
When Argentina hosted in 1978, the military junta that had taken power two years earlier staged elaborate ceremonies as markers of the country’s stability amid growing evidence of violent political repression.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Kim Hudson, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Both the 99th and 100th Oscars ceremonies will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the 99th telecast airing on Sunday, March 14, 2027, followed by the 100th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 5, 2028.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Moments after the dates for the 2027 & 2028 Oscar ceremonies were announced, SAG-AFTRA revealed the date and time for next year’s Actor Awards.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
As was previously announced, these will be the final Oscars ceremonies held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and broadcast on ABC.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by Christians as the traditional site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026
The grounds overlooking the ocean just north of San Clemente Pier host Marine Corps and Navy celebrations, including Veterans Day events, memorial services, weddings and reenlistment ceremonies.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
Traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by Christians as the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
When Argentina hosted in 1978, the military junta that had taken power two years earlier staged elaborate ceremonies as markers of the country’s stability amid growing evidence of violent political repression.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonies
Noun
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Humiliation rituals were driving players away from the game.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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The film shifts the focus from traditional narratives of policy and victimhood to the everyday experiences of individuals adapting to a life of constant threat, raising critical questions about whether these safety rituals signify true preparedness or a surrender to violence.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
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Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As these annual observances continue, some may be wondering if Holy Week celebrations are (or have ever been) federally recognized holidays.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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In some modern Jewish congregations, contemporary afflictions and forms of oppression are incorporated into Passover observances alongside the traditional biblical plagues.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonies. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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