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
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The news release said the bill would also require the plan to produce an annual report and come up with formal financial plans to prepare for future wildfires.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 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
Glasner’s anger was all apparent, even if the reality was that Palace had not received a formal offer from Manchester City until the Thursday evening.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The news release said the bill would also require the plan to produce an annual report and come up with formal financial plans to prepare for future wildfires.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 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 blues and greens of the Seahawks’ logo don’t match either species, with some saying the art instead nods to the brightly colored ceremonial masks of Seattle’s Indigenous communities.—
Jenna Ahart,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2026
-
At the Milan Cortina Games, Mongolian athletes will wear cashmere ceremonial deels — traditional tunics or robes — with silk trimmings to honor the past and present.—
Stefanie Dazio,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Now do like the new year’s titular Horse and ride on free!—
Ingu Chen,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This relationship brings another level to the film, as Kotevska weaves in the titular folktale of Silyan, about another lonely man and his stork.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
4 Feb. 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
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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
-
Meanwhile, if the prize were awarded for power per second of screentime, Gaby Hoffmann, playing a nineteen-sixties dropout in survival mode, would win; her furious silence is as eloquent as her terse determination, and her voice, quietly oracular, is one of the most memorable things in the movie.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Now, Cheshire serves as an eloquent and witty guide to the ways our world was once charted, from the trench networks of World War I to the early gridiron layouts of New York City.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The nearby Hilton Hotel held proms and homecomings, according to Collins.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Epps posted a snap of her with her prom date on Instagram.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Challenge conventional hustle culture, true entrepreneurial success comes from building businesses around natural strengths, instincts, and flow states.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The project also explored alternative energy storage systems, including supercritical CO2 turbines and thermal battery solutions, which could support power balancing beyond conventional electrical batteries.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The source said the Heat were not willing to offload for nominal draft capital.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Today, his brother Raúl Castro is 94, and Cuba’ s nominal president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, is an obscure bureaucrat who has a hard time keeping his audiences awake.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hunting groups say this is an overestimation of deer numbers, and that the organization has never had a proper management plan.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Darn Tough Hiker Merino Wool Crew Socks Whether hot or cold, the proper cushioned sock can help regulate temperature in shoes and keep your feet extra comfortable.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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