1
as in courtesies
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
bowing to your guest is a formality you don't need to perform for me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rituals
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
churchgoers loved the formalities of a traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formalities
To survive, and possibly flourish in coming seasons, the Gators’ formalities, procession and all, must remain brief.
—
Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
There are formalities in Hollywood.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Eschewing the formalities of a spa, and adding to the intimate feel of the hotel, wellness at NoMad London is instead offered by renowned therapist in residence, Katie England, who sees guests for personalised treatments in one of the hotel’s first floor rooms.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Ending unauthorized immigration requires a leader unworried about legal formalities.
—Russell Muirhead, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
The 45-year-old was in London to sign off on the Eze transfer and was at London Colney on the day to complete the formalities of the 27-year-old winger’s deal, with a beaming Josh even posing for a photo alongside Eze and Arteta.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
But are these traditions truly valuable, or just outdated formalities?
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2025
Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
There are formalities in Hollywood.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Eschewing the formalities of a spa, and adding to the intimate feel of the hotel, wellness at NoMad London is instead offered by renowned therapist in residence, Katie England, who sees guests for personalised treatments in one of the hotel’s first floor rooms.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Ending unauthorized immigration requires a leader unworried about legal formalities.
—Russell Muirhead, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
The 45-year-old was in London to sign off on the Eze transfer and was at London Colney on the day to complete the formalities of the 27-year-old winger’s deal, with a beaming Josh even posing for a photo alongside Eze and Arteta.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
But are these traditions truly valuable, or just outdated formalities?
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formalities
Noun
-
Leonora measures out her days in courtesies and slights, the former dominating the beginning of the book, the latter rapidly gaining ground.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Read on to learn about some of the pre-pageant superstitions, rituals and traditions maintained by Miss USA contestants from across the country.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Here, 13 modern witches share 13 unique rituals for honoring the spirit of Samhain in style.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Navigating the software involves using hand gestures and speech, although the headset also has a button for summoning Google’s Gemini and a touchpad.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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That last credit hints at the show’s bigger thematic goals, most of which skew closer to broad gestures than fresh insights — at least, so far.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Princess of Wales, 43, attended the first two awards ceremonies for the Earthshot Prize, joining her husband for the event in London in October 2021, followed by a second cycle in Boston in December 2022.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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On November 11, the plaza celebrates Military Appreciation Day with live music, exhibits, and ceremonies.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Bigelow has often been accused of being apolitical—or, because of her fascination with the codes, rites, and aesthetics of men at war, of advancing a gung-ho fetishization of American militarism.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
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According to the Ceremonial of Bishops, such rites – often a Mass or a Liturgy of the Word – should take place as soon as possible following a desecration.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Similar jijingu have been found across the Baekje kingdom’s capital, and offer a window into religious observances at the time—a mix of indigenous Korean animism combined with outside Buddhist and Chinese influences.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
16 Oct. 2025
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European migrants brought festivals such as Samhain and other observances of mortality to North America.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formalities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formalities. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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