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
The kind that wants to avoid the stuffy formalities and loud hubris that’s often touted at some of London’s other hotels.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Once Palace had completed the formalities, the dressing room bell sounded — the same bell Arsenal heard pre-game to signal the start of the match now marked the campaign’s ultimate conclusion; the final bell on this special season.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Inspired by the most recent decade of killings of unarmed Black men by police, the seven prints selected from Henry’s series draw upon the sculptural pathos and solemn formalities of Michelangelo’s Pietà di San Pietro.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The soldier said he was struck by how little emphasis was placed on rigid formalities that had defined his previous unit — from strict dress codes to repetitive routines unrelated to combat.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
But in a time when formalities are an increasingly rare occurrence, and most beach resorts embrace flip-flops and athleisure—comfy, yes, but not polished or classy—the Gasparilla Inn’s insistence on dressing up is refreshingly civilized, if a bit old-fashioned.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
This absence is not merely a matter of formalities.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
The leadership of both chambers will give speeches, and the formalities of opening day will march along in their usual pomp and circumstance.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
For events with formalities, like speeches, cake-cutting, or a holiday toast, Hayes advises staying until those key moments are complete.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Once Palace had completed the formalities, the dressing room bell sounded — the same bell Arsenal heard pre-game to signal the start of the match now marked the campaign’s ultimate conclusion; the final bell on this special season.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Inspired by the most recent decade of killings of unarmed Black men by police, the seven prints selected from Henry’s series draw upon the sculptural pathos and solemn formalities of Michelangelo’s Pietà di San Pietro.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The soldier said he was struck by how little emphasis was placed on rigid formalities that had defined his previous unit — from strict dress codes to repetitive routines unrelated to combat.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
But in a time when formalities are an increasingly rare occurrence, and most beach resorts embrace flip-flops and athleisure—comfy, yes, but not polished or classy—the Gasparilla Inn’s insistence on dressing up is refreshingly civilized, if a bit old-fashioned.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
This absence is not merely a matter of formalities.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
The leadership of both chambers will give speeches, and the formalities of opening day will march along in their usual pomp and circumstance.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
For events with formalities, like speeches, cake-cutting, or a holiday toast, Hayes advises staying until those key moments are complete.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formalities
Noun
-
Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.—
Simon Akam,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Automatic contributions, delayed payment windows, small rituals that add friction to impulse spending — these are all behavioral architecture moves, not acts of self-denial.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
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The rituals culminate on the 10th day of the month Muharram, which this year falls on June 26.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
Noun
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Against the home’s cleaner architectural lines, Burle Marx’s individual plantings read as painterly gestures, flashes of form and texture that give the grounds their modernist rhythm.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
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An introductory section designed by Studio Adrien Gardère will spotlight the savoir-faire of Le19M’s 11 resident maisons d’art, focusing on the gestures, tools, materials and creative processes that define them.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
Infantino did not mention if Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum or Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—whose countries are also hosting World Cup games—would be part of the closing ceremonies.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
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Back in Iran, hundreds of people filled Tajrish Square, where ceremonies for the third Shia Imam, Husayn ibn Ali, were taking place as not far away others celebrated the resilience shown by their soccer team against a Belgian side packed with stars like Kevin de Bruyne and Leandro Trossard.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
Noun
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Religious and traditional leaders, who oversee burial and funeral rites, are often the most trusted voices in their communities.—
Katherine Marshall,
STAT,
12 June 2026
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With Hillary Dawa alone on the world’s tallest mountain in perilous conditions for so long, his family had already begun funeral rites for him.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
Noun
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The Sacramento area has held free Juneteenth festivals and celebrations for decades, with festivities expanding as official observances on the local, state and national levels has continued expanding.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
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Kiddon harkened back to the early days of the La Grange post’s Memorial Day observances, which have been a tradition there for 82 years.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formalities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formalities. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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