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
The Olathe Public Schools Board of Education defended its decision not to update its policy for honoring deceased students at graduation ceremonies in a statement this week.
—
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
The incident occurred during the university's final month of classes, with exams scheduled for early June and graduation ceremonies at the Seattle campus set for June 13, the school's website states.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Among the scenes depicted were various festivals and ceremonies, the judging of longhorns, the making of cheese, and the view of a looming snowcapped mountain peak from the window of a helicopter.
—News Desk, Artforum, 11 May 2026
Graduation ceremonies are set for June 13.
—Austin Mullen, NBC news, 11 May 2026
Following his appearance, Chasing Horse traveled across Indian Country to attend powwows and perform healing ceremonies.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
The couple hosted four lavish wedding ceremonies to celebrate their nuptials.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
While individual stage walking was possible in three recent ceremonies, prior to 2022 this was not part of graduation.
—Nick Caloway, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
During the postgame ceremonies, the team surrounded Hogencamp and serenaded him to celebrate his 17th birthday.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
The incident occurred during the university's final month of classes, with exams scheduled for early June and graduation ceremonies at the Seattle campus set for June 13, the school's website states.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Among the scenes depicted were various festivals and ceremonies, the judging of longhorns, the making of cheese, and the view of a looming snowcapped mountain peak from the window of a helicopter.
—News Desk, Artforum, 11 May 2026
Graduation ceremonies are set for June 13.
—Austin Mullen, NBC news, 11 May 2026
Following his appearance, Chasing Horse traveled across Indian Country to attend powwows and perform healing ceremonies.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
The couple hosted four lavish wedding ceremonies to celebrate their nuptials.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
While individual stage walking was possible in three recent ceremonies, prior to 2022 this was not part of graduation.
—Nick Caloway, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
During the postgame ceremonies, the team surrounded Hogencamp and serenaded him to celebrate his 17th birthday.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonies
Noun
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Read on to discover their hosting rituals and shop their eclectic table.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
12 May 2026
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This is a beautiful romance, full of longing, heat and athletic men doing athlete things (training, competing, spiraling over rituals that may or may not matter).—
Erin La Rosa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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The university's Bangladesh Student Association has served as a liaison, asking the institution for help preserving Limon's remains in accordance with Islamic rites.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
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The world may have been upended by the war and the ink has barely dried on the Treaty of Versailles, but the society doyennes are doing their darnedest to return to the rituals and rites that used to govern our days.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In just the past few weeks, public debate has centered on issues such as school curriculum oversight, commemorative and cultural observances and facility access policies.—
Brett Wilson,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Apr. 2026
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Worshippers can now freely gather at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites for major religious celebrations, including Orthodox Easter and Ramadan observances.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonies. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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