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
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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
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Recent Examples of formal
Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
He is shown from behind, with one arm crooked and his head turned in profile: a formal pose, the better to show the network of scars, like the roots of a tree, that cover his bare back.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 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
Gibbons-Shapiro said his office planned to file a formal response to the mental health diversion application next week.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
He is shown from behind, with one arm crooked and his head turned in profile: a formal pose, the better to show the network of scars, like the roots of a tree, that cover his bare back.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 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
-
Traditionally, papal funerals included elaborate, multi-layered coffins—cypress, lead, and oak—along with extensive ceremonial displays.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Vice president Vance was welcomed to India with a ceremonial guard of honor on Monday.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The 10-episode first season, starring Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel, followed the push-and-pull struggles of rival ranching families in the titular Texas town, and has viewers clamoring for more.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Del Rey, 39, recounted the unique inspiration for the ethereal ballad, which thematically uses the titular bluebird as a metaphor for self-healing.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
6 Jan. 2025
-
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Notably, the hues of navy and blue work well together to portray the actor as eloquent in matters of style.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
18 Apr. 2025
-
His book is a distraught but eloquent cry against our tolerance for other people’s calamities.—
Fintan O’Toole,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
If there’s a way to shoehorn in a Las Vegas dance number, complete with jazz hands and ostrich feathers, do it!—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Amari Marshall, a renowned choreographer who served as dance co-captain on Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, worked closely with the trio for the Access All Areas Tour.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Until Black Panther’s record breaking $235 million opening, conventional industry wisdom held that films with predominantly Black casts typically underperform financially overseas.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
According to a from Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, Hegseth emphasized the need for NATO allies to shoulder more responsibility for Europe's conventional defense.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As the Signal chats showed, there are differences of opinion within Trump’s national-security team, and much more serious friction with the administration’s nominal allies in Europe.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The new duties raise the nominal U.S. tariff rate on China to 54%.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Just cut the tubing to the proper length and wrap it around the cables.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
By advocating for proper funding, schools will be able to take innovative approaches to increasing literacy rates, as well as seeing gains in math.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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