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
This reflects a shift toward flexibility over formality.
—
Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Elbows bump, sauces splatter, and hands fly as everyone dives in at once, with no utensils and no formalities.
—Renée Morrison, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025
Despite the procedural formalities and global anticipation, the conclave remains one of the most unpredictable events in the Catholic Church—where unity, divine guidance, and human politics intersect behind closed doors.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Washing your hair as a formality and without intention is not a good idea.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Elbows bump, sauces splatter, and hands fly as everyone dives in at once, with no utensils and no formalities.
—Renée Morrison, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025
Despite the procedural formalities and global anticipation, the conclave remains one of the most unpredictable events in the Catholic Church—where unity, divine guidance, and human politics intersect behind closed doors.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Washing your hair as a formality and without intention is not a good idea.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formality
Noun
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Even neutral or well-meaning gestures are perceived as selfish, passive-aggressive or hostile.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
They can be trained effectively using visual signals like hand gestures, along with touch cues.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Jumping off the bridge into the water is a summer ritual for thrill seekers of all ages, despite the warning signs that are posted nearby.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
27 June 2025
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The church’s ritual of confirmation, which marks the passage from adolescence into adulthood, also acquired legal status.—
Thomas A. DuBois,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The style’s timeless aesthetic and high-quality feel come courtesy of that leather upper with careful stitching, plus a traditional lace-up style and a supportive outsole carved with the map of Manhattan (harking back to Coach’s Big Apple identity).—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
25 June 2025
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See which breweries are near you, courtesy of CT Brewers’ Guild.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The ceremony is free and open to the public, with registration encouraged at usps.com/usps250years.—
Kristen Waggoner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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Carnival rides and parking lots open at 2 p.m. Food vendors and Riverwalk Grill open at 4 p.m., and a patriotic ceremony with military Color Guard is at 6 p.m., the band Full Strength performs from 6:30 – 9 p.m.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 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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Still, Hoffman praised Moster for expressing regret and called his return to Jewish observance a welcome, if incomplete, development.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
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For instance, all of the city’s public library locations and five of its six official cooling centers were closed to the public in observance of Juneteenth last year during a string of 90-degree days.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formality. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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