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
Emmy nominee Sabrina Impacciatore, who plays Esmeralda Grand, the brash (and hilarious) managing editor of the Toledo Truth Teller, will vie for awards consideration for the upcoming fall ceremonies, and the 2026 Emmys, in the lead actress comedy categories, revealed to Variety exclusively.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Wedding experts have noted a trend among modern brides who are moving away from traditional norms and making more daring statements with their dresses and ceremonies.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
The performer, barefoot and dressed in a bright red and gold costume, danced ram Thai, a slow movement that’s hundreds of years old and was originally performed in royal courts and religious ceremonies.
—Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 24 Sep. 2025
The following year, Bublé and Lopilato married in two separate ceremonies — in Argentina and Canada to represent their respective home countries.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Cai, 67, who is known for his gunpowder paintings and pyrotechnics and ran the fireworks shows at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, also apologized.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Duke Aipa is a regular at surf ceremonies, often blowing the pu, or conch shell, and leading prayers.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
The two men shared warm words, often walking side by side as military bands and mounted troops staged elaborate ceremonies on the castle grounds.
—Nik Popli, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
These are some of the over-the-top treatments, culturally-significant ceremonies and grounding experiences that are drawing wellness travelers to Mexico in droves.
—Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Clayton Davis, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Wedding experts have noted a trend among modern brides who are moving away from traditional norms and making more daring statements with their dresses and ceremonies.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
The performer, barefoot and dressed in a bright red and gold costume, danced ram Thai, a slow movement that’s hundreds of years old and was originally performed in royal courts and religious ceremonies.
—Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 24 Sep. 2025
The following year, Bublé and Lopilato married in two separate ceremonies — in Argentina and Canada to represent their respective home countries.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Cai, 67, who is known for his gunpowder paintings and pyrotechnics and ran the fireworks shows at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, also apologized.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Duke Aipa is a regular at surf ceremonies, often blowing the pu, or conch shell, and leading prayers.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
The two men shared warm words, often walking side by side as military bands and mounted troops staged elaborate ceremonies on the castle grounds.
—Nik Popli, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
These are some of the over-the-top treatments, culturally-significant ceremonies and grounding experiences that are drawing wellness travelers to Mexico in droves.
—Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonies
Noun
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For me, Mandarin carries the rituals and manners of growing up in Taiwan, while English feels tied to the independence of moving to London at 18 without my family.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
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Featured in the issue are a candid interview and a personal essay written by Paltrow exploring how landscapes, homes, and rituals have influenced the tastemaker.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Other tools found in the gravesites appear to be brand new and were buried with the dead during funerary rites.—
Sarah Durn,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
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The film begins with our protagonist, Ahmed, carrying out his late father’s funeral rites while verses are read from an ancient Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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European migrants brought festivals such as Samhain and other observances of mortality to North America.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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Conference speakers remembered Kirk and incorporated the activist's memory in religious observances.—
Liam Adams,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonies. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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