Synonym Chooser

How is the word celebrate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of celebrate are commemorate, keep, and observe. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

In what contexts can commemorate take the place of celebrate?

The synonyms commemorate and celebrate are sometimes interchangeable, but commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When might keep be a better fit than celebrate?

The words keep and celebrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

When is observe a more appropriate choice than celebrate?

The words observe and celebrate can be used in similar contexts, but observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

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 celebrate Warning signs: Compulsively planning for every possible scenario Struggling to celebrate wins because you're fixated on next challenges Feeling perpetually restless about pending tasks How to break free: Turn your forward-thinking tendency into an advantage through temporal distancing. Melody Wilding, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 To celebrate the company’s 20-year anniversary, founder Trish Share developed a cross-country mountain biking trip called the Costa Rica Cycle Challenge. Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 13 May 2025 Her breakthrough third album Control, which recently celebrated its 39th anniversary, was the first by a woman to yield five top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and follow-up Rhythm Nation 1814 is to date the only album to spawn seven top-five charting songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025 Cinco de Mayo is on May 5, and Chipotle is celebrating with a new gaming experience that can score fans some free food. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for celebrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celebrate
Verb
  • At the May 13 Village Board meeting, the first meeting since Buchanan resigned, current board members who served with Buchanan praised her.
    Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • Health advocates praised the new limits, which would require water utilities to reduce PFAS to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • King Charles' office is sharing a brand new royal symbol commemorating the last stage in the transition to his reign.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 10 May 2025
  • Mr Justice Popplewell cut the ribbon on an emotional day when a mural commemorating the 56 victims of the fire was also unveiled.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • The pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the entire world, that Easter morning.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Their prayers were answered and they were blessed with a boy child, or in the case of Rachel with two sons.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Celebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celebrate. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on celebrate

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