1
as in to celebrate
to be a memorial of a stone obelisk commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill

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2
as in to bless
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony let's commemorate Martin Luther King Day with readings of some of Dr. King's speeches

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How is the word commemorate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of commemorate are celebrate, keep, and observe. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When could celebrate be used to replace commemorate?

The words celebrate and commemorate can be used in similar contexts, but celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

In what contexts can keep take the place of commemorate?

In some situations, the words keep and commemorate are roughly equivalent. However, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

When might observe be a better fit than commemorate?

The words observe and commemorate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of commemorate One year later, the number of LGBT organizations in the country had grown from around 50 to at least 1,500, and Pride Marches were held in a number of large cities to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising. Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2025 Kensington Palace posted a picture of Prince William on social media to commemorate his 43rd birthday. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 23 June 2025 Juneteenth may be the nation's youngest federal holiday, but commemorating the death of slavery has celebrations and traditions that predate many others. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 20 June 2025 The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom from slavery in the state of Texas, nearly two years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for commemorate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commemorate
Verb
  • What better way to celebrate the holiday than with a local fireworks show? With Independence Day falling on a Friday this year, many towns in the state have their shows set for the coming long weekend.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
  • With Apple Music Studios unveiled, Apple Music also announced special programming for this week to celebrate 10 years of service.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Decades later, that feeling is more acute: the gay beach in Chicago where it was taken no longer exists, memorialized today by a 2.5-acre garden in memory of those who lost their lives to AIDS.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
  • But what about those who prefer to be memorialized on a more cosmic scale?
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • If the Emmys actually honored shows like this, just hand him the Emmy now.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 23 June 2025
  • Parton became the first country artist honored as Grammy MusiCares Person of the Year, and has earned 11 Grammy Awards and 52 nominations, including a lifetime achievement award.
    Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Sink Into a Hot Stone Bath For as long as anyone can remember, Bhutanese have treasured hot stone baths.
    JOE YOGERST, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Cawley-Ford remembers when the stipends were put in place, saying the bonuses helped to raise UConn Health’s hourly wage to a level more in line with other hospitals in the state.
    Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commemorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commemorate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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