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
Athletes wore a neutral uniform with the Olympic flag, and the Olympic anthem was played during their medal ceremonies.
—
Callum Sutherland, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
The winners will be announced at concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York on March 8.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Winners will be honored at the 78th annual Writers Guild Awards on March 8 at concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
These locations included schools, hospitals, places of worship and certain public ceremonies and demonstrations.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, though sometimes forgotten in the shadow of the west side Rose Garden, became a secondary event space, sometimes used for presidential award ceremonies or first ladies' parties and tea times.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The Cubs eschewed individual introductions during the opening ceremonies, bringing everyone from the 2016 club out together for reasons that made no sense.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Read more Now that opening-day speeches and start-of-session ceremonies are out of the way, the Colorado legislature’s work is beginning to spin up in earnest.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
According to the sources, welcome ceremonies, banquets and other events are under consideration in both countries for a trip that is expected to last between 10 to 14 days.
—Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
Callum Sutherland, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
The winners will be announced at concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York on March 8.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Winners will be honored at the 78th annual Writers Guild Awards on March 8 at concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
These locations included schools, hospitals, places of worship and certain public ceremonies and demonstrations.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, though sometimes forgotten in the shadow of the west side Rose Garden, became a secondary event space, sometimes used for presidential award ceremonies or first ladies' parties and tea times.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The Cubs eschewed individual introductions during the opening ceremonies, bringing everyone from the 2016 club out together for reasons that made no sense.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Read more Now that opening-day speeches and start-of-session ceremonies are out of the way, the Colorado legislature’s work is beginning to spin up in earnest.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
According to the sources, welcome ceremonies, banquets and other events are under consideration in both countries for a trip that is expected to last between 10 to 14 days.
—Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonies
Noun
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Leaders compelled members to participate in expensive rituals, make lavish donations, and provide the Church with free labor.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
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Tierra Santa Healing House introduces a comprehensive spa and longevity experience, featuring immersive hydrothermal rituals, botanical steam rooms infused with South American herbs, horizontal rain shower beds, cold plunge and red-light therapy and couples heated stone beds.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Three Palestinians were laid to rest in traditional Islamic funeral rites.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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By the power vested in him, Pritz conducted the rites inside the Egyptian.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As in recent years, Russia representatives were not invited to the observances at Auschwitz due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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Early Christians used the period as preparation for major religious observances and for baptism, according to the Christian History Institute.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonies. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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