1
as in gesture
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
Relevance
2
as in ritual
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of formality
Most of them have to do with ornateness and formality, which simply isn't required in homes today.
—
Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 4 Jan. 2026
The Office of Management and Budget must approve the new rule, which is largely a formality.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
An offseason release would then just be a simple formality.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025
The indoor-outdoor layout eschews formality in favor of comfort, with flexible living spaces and expansive decks.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 4 Jan. 2026
The Office of Management and Budget must approve the new rule, which is largely a formality.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
An offseason release would then just be a simple formality.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025
The indoor-outdoor layout eschews formality in favor of comfort, with flexible living spaces and expansive decks.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formality
Noun
-
But the gesture may be more symbolic than practical, since the ordinance could be difficult to enforce if passed, according to the county’s attorney.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
-
This is a childhood that had all its ordinariness burned out of it by the linking of even seemingly trivial gestures (an offering of candy, a bath, a swim, the dust in a corner of a room) to an entire array of physical and mental agonies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The ancient ritual will see smoke from smoldering native leaves waft over the island’s sandy beaches – to cleanse, and to heal.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Purity, impurity, and the laws and rituals designed to manage the boundary between them — these are the cornerstone concerns of the Book of Leviticus, the third book of the Old Testament.—
Natalia Winkelman,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
All of its radiance-granting powers are effectively put towards a scent that comes alive with glowy warmth, courtesy of the mandarin, magnolia, coconut, sandalwood, and other ingredients found within.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Set inside a 17th-century former noble residence, the building has been a hotel since 1811—a grand, if slightly dusty, fixture of the Roman hospitality circuit—before having the cobwebs blown off courtesy of a four-year renovation overseen by the French-Mexican architect and designer Hugo Toro.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Trump was not the only person present at the executive order signing ceremony to have personal testimony regarding drug and alcohol addiction.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The crash occurred exactly a week before the Milan Cortina opening ceremony.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
United’s football board is a ceremonial construct these days — the big decisions are taken at plc level — but keeping Ferguson and Gill updated is considered internally as a shrewd move.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The Latin name derives from the shape of its leaves, which resemble a bishop’s miter, the ceremonial, pointed headdress worn by bishops and other church leaders.—
David Kroll,
The Conversation,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The image, taken by NASA photographer Bill Ingalls, transforms a familiar sight into a beacon of celebration as the nation begins its yearlong observance of America's anniversary.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
As in recent years, Russia representatives were not invited to the observances at Auschwitz due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formality. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
