FORMALISTIC Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

formalistic

adjective

Definition of formalistic

as in ritual

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Recent Examples of formalistic In overruling Humphrey’s, the Roberts Court is solidifying a formalistic version of the separation of powers that narrows congressional power while expanding presidential power. — George Thomas, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for formalistic

Adjective

The waterway relied on gravity to transport water to the Second Temple complex, the center of Jewish religious life at the time, where it was used for ritual purification and cleaning up after sacrifices.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
In its last edition, the biennale focused on the theme of kawruh, a Javenese word that means deep, lived knowledge that comes from habit and ritual.

— News Desk, Artforum, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of ritual

Adjective

Experts suspect the pigment may be cinnabar, a mercury sulfide mineral that held immense spiritual and ritualistic value for the Chimu, explicitly reserved for high-ranking members of society.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
There is something almost ritualistic about people gathering around music, dancing together and sharing the same energy.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of ritualistic

Adjective

Across 13 experiments involving four models and nearly 8,000 trials, the researchers found that AI systems made systematic biased judgments.

— Ashique KhudaBukhsh, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Almost no government in the world has a systematic way of finding where its young people are psychologically struggling.

— Vanessa Andersen, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of systematic

Adjective

The pair seemed prepared and methodical—not sloppy carousers but people with a plan.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Fresno State opened the game with a methodical 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to whip the home crowd into an excited frenzy.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of methodical

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formal

formalistic

formalities

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“Formalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formalistic. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of formalistic

adjective

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