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
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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
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Recent Examples of formality
The indoor-outdoor layout eschews formality in favor of comfort, with flexible living spaces and expansive decks.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2025
Monday’s decision, in some ways, was largely a formality.
—Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
Graume added that federal approval of changes to Minnesota Medicaid are typically mere formalities.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
These flourishes added a touch of formality that’s perfect for a holiday party in warmer climates like Los Angeles, where this particular screening took place.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2025
Monday’s decision, in some ways, was largely a formality.
—Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
Graume added that federal approval of changes to Minnesota Medicaid are typically mere formalities.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
These flourishes added a touch of formality that’s perfect for a holiday party in warmer climates like Los Angeles, where this particular screening took place.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formality
Noun
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At the end of Monday's live Atlas demonstration, the humanoid prototype swung its arms in a theatrical gesture to introduce a static model of the new product version of Atlas, which looked slightly different and was blue in color.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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By integrating vision, audio, and language, IntEngine enables Nylo to coordinate speech, facial expressions, and gestures in real time.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Mount Hora may have been a natural monument, memorial or place where people returned to share cultural rituals — even generations after the cremation, Sawchuk said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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Michelle Buteau doesn’t believe in perfect mornings, spotless sweatpants, or rigid holiday rituals.—
Leslie D. Rose,
Parents,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Photograph courtesy Oscilloscope Laboratories 3.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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In between his different projects, Emms took time to talk to THR about The Choral, being part of the Star Wars universe, courtesy of Andor, and what is next for him.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Chinese leader Xi Jinping attended the commissioning ceremony for the Fujian at a military port in Sanya on Hainan island earlier this week, China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported on Friday.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Alex Morgan speaks during the ceremony to retire her Number 13 jersey following NWSL match between San Diego Wave and Houston Dash at Snapdragon Stadium on September 07, 2025 in San Diego, California.—
Jessica Golden,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In addition to Ducasse’s culinary mastery, offering a cohesive experience that encompasses the liveried staff in period costumes and the ceremonial is part and parcel of the success of the banquet, according to Révah.—
Lily Templeton,
WWD,
20 Feb. 2025
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For those who missed the game, most of the Chiefs’ scores came in garbage time; the lopsided affair was 24-0 at halftime, and the Eagles’ first score was a ceremonial Jalen Hurts Tush Push.—
Jess Bryant,
The Athletic,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Some businesses and other services in the commonwealth will be closed in observance of the federal holiday.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
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All branches of Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles are closed Tuesday in observance of Veterans Day.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formality. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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