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
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Recent Examples of ceremonies
Permanent-residency applications from more than seventy countries have been frozen, naturalization ceremonies cancelled.
—
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
Earlier on Tuesday, Kosovo's security forces paraded in Pristina as part of the independence ceremonies, and Parliament held a special session.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Earlier on Tuesday, Kosovo’s security forces paraded in Pristina as part of the independence ceremonies, and Parliament held a special session.
—Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Convinced that her sadistic ceremonies will transform him into a god, Clara draws Brighton into a hallucinatory descent into faith, flesh, and the sublime.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
The Teddy ceremonies and parties soon became legendary.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
As for how to combine this shoe with a guest look fit for upcoming ceremonies, there are two easy ways.
—Tatiana Ojea, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
One of the city’s star attractions is the huge 25,000-seat Great Theater, used for theatrical performances, public assemblies, religious ceremonies and, in the Roman era, gladiatorial battles.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
The opening ceremonies were a day away but curlers were already on their second day of the mixed doubles round robin competition.
—New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
Earlier on Tuesday, Kosovo's security forces paraded in Pristina as part of the independence ceremonies, and Parliament held a special session.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Earlier on Tuesday, Kosovo’s security forces paraded in Pristina as part of the independence ceremonies, and Parliament held a special session.
—Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Convinced that her sadistic ceremonies will transform him into a god, Clara draws Brighton into a hallucinatory descent into faith, flesh, and the sublime.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
The Teddy ceremonies and parties soon became legendary.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
As for how to combine this shoe with a guest look fit for upcoming ceremonies, there are two easy ways.
—Tatiana Ojea, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
One of the city’s star attractions is the huge 25,000-seat Great Theater, used for theatrical performances, public assemblies, religious ceremonies and, in the Roman era, gladiatorial battles.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
The opening ceremonies were a day away but curlers were already on their second day of the mixed doubles round robin competition.
—New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonies
Noun
-
Weir had never been averse to alcohol; among his many lifestyle rituals was burning off a night of wine with an intense morning run the next day.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
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Others say that a balance can be struck and that, in moderation, such rituals are part of the month’s festive spirit.—
Mariam Fam,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Gomis, who’s credited along with five other editors, cuts from one ceremony to the other without warning, creating a vivid menagerie of sights, sounds, rites, languages, faces and places.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Russia wants to swallow Ukraine, even though both nations share Orthodox rites.—
Josef Joffe,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The 40-day period leads up to observances of Jesus’ death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Public observances will be held in Chicago and future plans for celebration of life events will be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Jackson family said in its statement Tuesday.—
Char Adams,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonies. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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