commemorating 1 of 2

as in commemorative
serving to preserve the memory of a person, thing, or an event a commemorating reenactment of the Civil War battle on the occasion of its 150th anniversary

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commemorating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of commemorate
1
2
as in observing
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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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 commemorating
Verb
Zelensky expected on official visit to neighboring Moldova Zelensky was due to visit neighboring Moldova on Thursday to mark its national day commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 In September, watch the Stratobowl Historic Hot Air Balloon Launch, commemorating a record-breaking 1935 balloon flight—with human passengers— into the stratosphere. Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026 An honorary street sign was posted in Chicago's Portage Park last week commemorating silent film organist Jay Warren — real name Dennis Wolkowicz — who died last year. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Veiled pro-government supporters carrying flags take part in a ceremony commemorating the memory of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in downtown Tehran, Iran, on August 18, 2026. Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026 The free event is one of the signature celebrations commemorating the country's 250th anniversary, according to DC250. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 The exhibit comes as America is commemorating 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, but Slocumb said the Stowe Center’s work is about more than marking an anniversary. Reginald David, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026 That's about the legacy of slavery and the monuments commemorating the Confederacy and slave holders and the distortions of history. Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Acura is commemorating its 40th anniversary with the introduction of a new design direction for its upcoming cars, showcased in this striking two-door concept vehicle. New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commemorating
Adjective
  • The festivities have included shows in New York City, and upcoming gigs in Los Angeles, Paris, and London, a series of pop-up events and activations, and even a run of commemorative library cards with the Brooklyn Public Library system.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • There is no list of soldiers’ names on display, a common postwar commemorative practice.
    Shannon Fogg, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Tommy White Rated PG-13, 1 hour 37 minutes Hank, an American living in Australia, is now trying to be a gentle giant, one who’s celebrating his one-year anniversary of sobriety and who clearly suffers from lingering emotional trauma.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The film, on the other hand, centers on July 14, 1937, which is Bastille Day in France, a day celebrating freedom.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • On Sunday morning, the Church of Norway is holding memorial services across the country, with the royal family expected to attend the service at Asker Church southwest of Oslo, the palace said.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Flowers, handwritten remembrances and other tributes have been piling up at de facto Dolly Parton memorial sites around the Nashville area.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The goldenseal flowers on its surface memorializing whoever had been buried in it.
    Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • While radio and television have generally fallen short in memorializing the dead, there are blogs, zines, and commercial websites devoted to dying, and personal web pages and online videos have all helped democratize death.
    Sam Roberts, Longreads, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Isabel’s journey is one of awakening and remembering the past, seeing it and hearing it.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the most difficult part would be remembering to remove the propane burner and re-seat after folding/unfolding.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Indeed, relatively few spacecraft of any kind have borne female names over the years — and most of the ones that did were not honoring actual, real-life people.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure has added a memorial honoring legendary comic artist/creator Jack Kirby.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Commemorating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commemorating. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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