1
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
a century ago everyday life was much more ceremonious than in our anything-goes era
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
the ceremonious regalia of the Swiss Guards, the pope's traditional body guards
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ceremonious
Once RiRi and the baby made a ceremonious second entrance to the show, the ‘defile’ finally began at 10:35.
—
Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
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 name change is merely ceremonious to recognize the grand opening of the town's new Dunkin' location, officials said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 29 Apr. 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
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
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 name change is merely ceremonious to recognize the grand opening of the town's new Dunkin' location, officials said.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 29 Apr. 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
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonious
Adjective
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Armani, who had already introduced unstructured jackets for men and women, was part of the generation of designers who ushered in a less formal fashion era, one that would allow men and women to look refined without looking stuffy.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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The meeting took place on the sidelines of celebrations in Beijing to mark the anniversary of Japan's formal surrender in World War Two.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, the presidents of the Central Pacific and, yes, Union Pacific railroads met in 1869 to drive the final ceremonial rail stake into the ground, connecting the east and west coasts.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Irish presidency is mostly ceremonial and is directly elected every seven years.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Still, Julie Rotblatt Amrany got the flying ponytail right and delivered a decorous portrayal that was well received.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
30 Aug. 2025
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The cost of parties, marketing, shipping, insurance, and the decorous administration of nearly five hundred sales a year only ever drifts one way.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cutely line them up along the mantel with candles or lanterns, or add them to a nice tray with a few jack-o’-lanterns.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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The beef is tender, and the broth has that nice aromatic spice that is immediately soothing and associated with a classic beef noodle soup.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps that should be a solemn oath for all AI makers.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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At any rate, those are the types of academics who populate After the Hunt, Luca Guadagnino’s cartoonishly solemn drama, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There is a duty of care not to use data for the sake of it, but rather to ensure that analysis stands up to proper scrutiny and scientific rigour where possible.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonious. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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