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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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
The ceremony sets the stage for each day’s contests and activities which include a ceremonious entrance led by a Native American veteran color guard, visiting dignitaries and tribal royalty, followed by dancers of all ages.
—
Staff Reports, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Roberts began the process while Melania was still finalizing her position, which may have disrupted the ceremonious act.
—Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 20 Jan. 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
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Staff Reports, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Roberts began the process while Melania was still finalizing her position, which may have disrupted the ceremonious act.
—Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 20 Jan. 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
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonious
Adjective
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The moment marks the formal introduction of the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church to the world.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
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The Stray Kids’ member is not the first formal male ambassador for Damiani, which has a long track record of linking with male celebrities, most notably tapping Brad Pitt for its campaigns.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Although the lack of human remains prevents anthropological study, the hoard of possessions—including bracelets, brooches, ceremonial weapons—that were created around the 3rd or 4th century B.C. provides a treasure trove for researchers.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
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Mary’s game finally came to an end on this week’s episode, but not without a truly bizarre and wonderful sideshow to accompany her ceremonial torch-snuffing.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.—
Jeffrey Weiss,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
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Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Half Dome comes with a footprint, which is a rarity these days, and nice to have.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
16 May 2025
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But anyone hoping to hit the open road needs to know one thing: some drivers just aren't very nice, especially in certain states.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Far from solemn, the atmosphere has turned into a party of thousands.—
Katie Primm,
NBC news,
9 May 2025
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The march traces the path from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the Nazi death camps in occupied Poland, in a solemn tribute to the victims and in honor of the survivors and their liberators.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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To have a golf course — the quality, a major championship-caliber one in Quail Hollow — just south of Charlotte’s center city proper, not a lot of cities can come up with that kind of opportunity.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2025
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No agents would be put in the field without proper clearance, Covington assured.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonious. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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