ceremonial

2 of 2

noun

as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules the funeral of a pope is usually marked by rich pageantry and elaborate ceremonials

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ceremonial distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of ceremonial are ceremonious, conventional, and formal. While all these words 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

When can ceremonious be used instead of ceremonial?

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

made his ceremonious entrance

When is it sensible to use conventional instead of ceremonial?

While the synonyms conventional and ceremonial are close in meaning, conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional courtesy
conventional fiction

When could formal be used to replace ceremonial?

In some situations, the words formal and ceremonial are roughly equivalent. However, 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

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 ceremonial
Adjective
These ceremonial fires represent the power of the sun and provide an opportunity for cleansing and renewal, according to the Beltane Fire Society. Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 May 2025 Nomo was asked to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Evan Drellich, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
As her funeral is shown on The Crown season 6, here’s everything to know about the royal ceremonial. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 Nothing ceremonial marked the reopening, but a parking lot memorial stood as a reminder of the recent tragedy. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for ceremonial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonial
Adjective
  • Ramsay is a filmmaker of undeniable formal wizardry and a fearless explorer of psychological rupture.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
  • Robinhood submitted a formal 42-page proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requesting the creation of a federal regulatory framework for the issuance and trading of tokenized RWAs.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • In each iteration, the body of the deceased was pulled by livestock or carried by boat while mourners performed rituals to honor their lives and, in some cultures, to encourage safe passage for the spirit into the afterlife.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • Generations pass, cultures overlap, and trends evolve, but the sanctity of beauty rituals for and by ourselves remain.
    Cierra Black, Essence, 9 May 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
Noun
  • Meghan and Prince Harry first tied the knot in May 2018 in an ornate ceremony at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • For the second year in a row, some students have used their graduation ceremonies as a platform to protest against Israel’s conduct of the war.
    Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Its two sister variants—the F-35A and F-35C—are designed for operations from conventional runways and aircraft carriers, respectively.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
  • Sorry to break it to the rest of the industry, but Aston Martin’s design team is still cooking with gas, fire, conventional weapons, atomic bombs, etc.
    Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • According to the View’s official metrics, the upstairs lounge takes forty-five minutes to complete a rotation, and the dining room takes an hour and a half.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
  • Following the news of the pontiff's death on Easter Monday, the King released an official statement via Buckingham Palace.
    Stephanie Petit, People.com, 18 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ceremonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonial. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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