1
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
a formal meeting of the board of directors a formal contract that was legally binding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in ceremonious
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
gave her a formal invitation to dinner
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dress
relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners
the dress code is formal for tonight's event a shop that rents out formal wear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in eloquent
very dignified in form, tone, or style
the formal language of the coronation ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formal
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
While no experience or formal education is required, there are still unique requirements for parents, students, teachers and broader community members who would like to run for an LSC seat.
—Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
However, the twists of its premise soon end up souring it conceptually, resulting in rapidly-diminishing returns, with derivative formal flourishes that largely recall other, better films.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
While no experience or formal education is required, there are still unique requirements for parents, students, teachers and broader community members who would like to run for an LSC seat.
—Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
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
-
The weekend took on a healing, cathartic ceremonial nature that is difficult to put into words.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Libra meets water for the first time Libra’s float-out ceremony concluded recently at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard, where a ceremonial cord was cut, allowing water to flow into the ship’s building dock.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The now-notorious Gosselin family of Jon & Kate Plus 8 was secular to the point of the titular couple divorcing, and multiple Gosselin children have since leveled horrific allegations of abuse against their mother.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
No such luck, and the titular finger is severed from his hand, resulting in blood spewing everywhere as his coworkers desperately try to pull him free.—
Chase Hutchinson,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
-
More convincing in the film is cinematographer Talant Akynbekov’s observant, almost ceremonious lensing of carpet weaving, as well as of the beats of everyday life, sometimes accompanied by the traditional tunes villagers hum.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Several board members commended the speakers and noted that the students were eloquent in their speeches.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Under this alignment of eloquent Mercury and unstoppable Mars in your in-depth 8th house, those connections could use a bit of extra attention.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What color dress did Neal Begovich’s date wear to his senior prom?—
Storey Wertheimer,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Fast forward 16 years, and members are in hiding in a sanctuary city in the forests of Northern California while life goes on for everyone else in the form of proms and getting stoned.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This four-day celebration of the arts spotlights performances outside of conventional theater walls in more open and unique spaces, such as a boat, park or even in a bubble.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
But that’s only because his road to Denver was a little less conventional, requiring a little extra perseverance.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The bar provides seasonings, baked potatoes, and salad for a nominal fee.—
Jill Robbins,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
That’s two of the largest single day increases going back to 2005 in terms of nominal increase in cents per gallon, according to GasBuddy.—
Robert Ferris,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
She was considered proper and respected—if not somewhat eccentric.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Gingie is a proper passion project for Lockwood, who was chuffed about the focal point of the open-concept kitchen.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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