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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in dance
a social gathering for dancing
he asked her to the formal at the end of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of formal
Carrie Johnson, NPR, 25 June 2025
Pioneer’s formal notice comes after the practice was revealed by Daniel Swift, a principal at the global tax consulting firm Ryan that represents a number of commercial property owners in Boston, and reported on this month by the Herald.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Strain went missing on March 8 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, 25 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for formal
Adjective
And on Tuesday, a day before his confirmation hearing, a whistleblower filed a formal complaint alleging Bove planned to knowingly defy court orders and withhold information from judges about the administration's deportation agenda.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 25 June 2025
Pioneer’s formal notice comes after the practice was revealed by Daniel Swift, a principal at the global tax consulting firm Ryan that represents a number of commercial property owners in Boston, and reported on this month by the Herald.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
Noun
Hell's Kitchen; Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's exploration of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos' rise and fall in the Philippines; and the adaptation of the 2015 documentary How to Dance in Ohio, about a group of teenagers with autism preparing for a spring formal.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Strain went missing on March 8 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, 25 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for formal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formal
Adjective
-
In a few weeks, Lonnie Smith will proudly put on a ceremonial white coat in Charlotte — a symbol of his dedication to becoming a doctor.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
-
The Royals donned blue and yellow Kansas City Monarchs hats, and living legends Sam Allen and Pedro Sierra threw out ceremonial first pitches.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
In retrospect, both fans and Grenier himself have asserted that Nate may be the actual villain of The Devil Wears Prada, and not the titular devil herself.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
Beyond the film’s campy appeal — the original movie captured audiences for the titular character’s killer dance moves and tag lines — the film poses of-the-moment questions around AI usage.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Passover is a ceremonious occasion to rejoice in Judaism, especially during the first family meal or Seder, according to britannica.com.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
Once RiRi and the baby made a ceremonious second entrance to the show, the ‘defile’ finally began at 10:35.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
An eloquent necklace and matching earrings alongside delicate rings were styled as a part of her red carpet look.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
27 June 2025
-
Ambient background music plays, and eloquent placemats beckon you to your spot at the table.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
The two stars looked alike, even dressing in head-to-toe black as James showed off his dance moves.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
All the artists involved in the song seeded it out to the dance community ahead of release, with Helix’s global promo teams working it with partners at DSPs, radio, and beyond.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
And then there were the potential ills of a conventional approach, like fumes spewed by laminate flooring.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
-
Perhaps this abundance of conventional warfare was why the competitive multiplayer modes never became an online sensation?—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Presumably, the series can conclude when our nominal adults finally do get grown.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2025
-
Treats and train rides are available for a nominal fee.—
Pomerado News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Eggs themselves are not a source of collagen—but the egg white specifically contains proline and glycine, two essential amino acids for proper collagen production.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
The potential disasters of treating art like traditional investments far outweigh the cost of proper planning.—
Matthew F. Erskine,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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