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
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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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of formal
David Sokol, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
Blazers have an innate reputation for being more formal and reserved, but this is Paris Fashion Week, where no ordinary suit quite does the trick.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 4 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
Other seminal works include the Vitra Design museum in Germany (the introduction of his inventive formal language to Europe); the playful Dancing House in Prague; and 8 Spruce Street (or Beekman Tower) in New York City.
—David Sokol, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
Blazers have an innate reputation for being more formal and reserved, but this is Paris Fashion Week, where no ordinary suit quite does the trick.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 4 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 largely ceremonial legislature rubber stamps decisions that have been made by the ruling Communist Party.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
After the funeral service, there will be a processional to the Beverly Shores Fire Station for Himan’s ceremonial last call.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Gabriella Scott portrays the titular role in this uplifting, family-friendly work featuring Mya Bryant, Eliah Johnson, Arielle Roberts and Nia Simone Smith.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Kate is a new character created for the potential NBC series, not one that existed as part of the original which ran from 1974 to 1980 with James Garner leading the cast as the titular detective.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
26 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
-
There was eloquent solo playing in the orchestra, and extravagance from the solo singers.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The meme’s brackets and asterisks—never has punctuation been so eloquent—seemed to step in where words failed.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those punishments included threats of losing prom or walking the stage at graduation.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the district’s knowledge of Chubon’s inappropriate conduct, the lawsuit states, he still was permitted to chaperone Gustine High’s senior trip and prom night.—
Julietta Bisharyan,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Powered by four jet engines, the B-2 can carry conventional or nuclear weapons, with intercontinental range and aerial refueling.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
It is built by Raytheon, a unit of RTX, and carries a conventional warhead.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And if Congress fails to renew these tariffs by roughly August, the bank calculates nominal tariff levels would plummet to the mid-single digits, around 6% to 7%.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Suggesting even nominal support for Israeli sovereignty over much of the Middle East is an unprecedented departure from American foreign policy.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Ryan said Thursday that the man had been wearing orange booties issued by the county holding center, rather than proper shoes suitable for winter weather.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Detainees at the black box sites, some of whom are seriously wounded, do not receive medical care, do not have access to proper toilet facilities and are not logged in official records, raising the chances of torture or even death, Aban said.—
Babak Dehghanpisheh,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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