formal 1 of 2

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as in titular
being something in name or form only was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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formal

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word formal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of formal are ceremonial, ceremonious, and conventional. While all these words mean "marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms," formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report
the headmaster's formal manner

How do ceremonial and ceremonious relate to one another, in the sense of formal?

Ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies.

a ceremonial offering

When is ceremonious a more appropriate choice than formal?

While in some cases nearly identical to formal, ceremonious applies to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

When would conventional be a good substitute for formal?

In some situations, the words conventional and formal are roughly equivalent. However, conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional courtesy
conventional fiction

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 formal
Adjective
Language was a solution to a formal problem, the articulation of consciousness. Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025 The more formal restaurant, La Terrazza, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with fabulous views from the terrace. Laura Itzkowitz, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Strain went missing after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 18 June 2024 At the time of his disappearance, Strain and his fellow Delta Chi fraternity members traveled to Tennessee for the group’s annual formal. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for formal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formal
Adjective
  • Rooney, founder of the nonprofit organization Folds of Honor, was on hand Friday at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock and hit the ceremonial first tee shot to kick off the Simmons Bank Championship for the second consecutive year.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Horror seems cathartic, or psychically protective—a safe ritual that admits the reality of violence and cruelty while also warding it off, like a ceremonial demon mask.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The chilling events in The Exorcism of Emily Rose (portrayed by Laura Linney, Campbell Scott, Tom Wilkinson and of course, Jennifer Carpenter in the titular role) are nearly as frightening as the real-life events the film is loosely based on.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • By then, the titular figure of Mitchell’s book, pitcher Ralph Branca, was effectively out of the league.
    Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The extended ovation following Kershaw’s ceremonious exit in the top of the fifth preceded the uncontrollable catharsis of Shohei Ohtani’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot that pierced the Giants’ soul.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Today is the eleven year anniversary of the release of Destiny, perhaps not as ceremonious as last year’s tenth anniversary, one that did not end the series, but Bungie presses on.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Creature survives, becomes smarter and even eloquent, and vengefully chases Frankenstein all the way to the Arctic.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Kidman was eloquent and warm, leavening her more introspective thoughts with a twinkly laugh.
    Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • During those visits, Ray and Alex took an interest in dance — getting up onstage with the park’s performers and talking with them after the shows.
    Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Led by cultural artist and storyteller Lillian Grant Baptiste, this community gathering features storytelling, drumming, dance, a libation ritual, candle lighting, and a closing affirmation of unity.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After being integrated, this system will demonstrate its capabilities in live-fire tests – advancing the Department of War’s effort to evaluate and accelerate new, cost-effective strike capabilities for conventional deterrence.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Studies show operating emissions for rail can be as low as 31 g CO₂e per passenger-km on electrified routes, a number far below many conventional car or plane comparisons.
    Chelsea Haney October 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The focus was to provide more attacking numbers in advanced areas to maintain territorial dominance, with a midfield pair — or ‘double pivot’ — providing the defensive foundation behind a nominal front four.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Alongside contemporaries including Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Maxwell, the neo-soul class focused on recapturing the live, thick instrumentation, rich songwriting and weighted, passionate delivery of its nominal genre predecessor.
    Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When using hydrogen peroxide, wear protective gloves and eyewear to avoid irritation, ensure proper ventilation, and never mix it with bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaning agents.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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