1
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
a formal meeting of the board of directors a formal contract that was legally binding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in titular
being something in name or form only
was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ceremonious
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
gave her a formal invitation to dinner
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dress
relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners
the dress code is formal for tonight's event a shop that rents out formal wear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in eloquent
very dignified in form, tone, or style
the formal language of the coronation ceremony
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dance
a social gathering for dancing
he asked her to the formal at the end of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of formal
Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
People like me, from small villages or middle-class families, have found ways to study film and create work, even outside of formal cinema schools.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 May 2025
Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for formal
Adjective
Huizar would not comment on whether there have been any recent instances of lost or stolen explosives and instead directed The Times to submit a formal records request.
—Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
People like me, from small villages or middle-class families, have found ways to study film and create work, even outside of formal cinema schools.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 May 2025
Noun
Hell's Kitchen; Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's exploration of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos' rise and fall in the Philippines; and the adaptation of the 2015 documentary How to Dance in Ohio, about a group of teenagers with autism preparing for a spring formal.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for formal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formal
Adjective
-
Although the lack of human remains prevents anthropological study, the hoard of possessions—including bracelets, brooches, ceremonial weapons—that were created around the 3rd or 4th century B.C. provides a treasure trove for researchers.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
-
Mary’s game finally came to an end on this week’s episode, but not without a truly bizarre and wonderful sideshow to accompany her ceremonial torch-snuffing.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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De Armas also spoke highly of costar Keanu Reeves, who stars as the titular John Wick in the action franchise.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
15 May 2025
-
But as our titular hero flies off to hear the crucial piece of information that will ultimately bring peace to that collection of stars far, far away, there’s the stabbing knowledge in the back of our minds that he, K-2SO, and so many others are doomed.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
Ogden's #75 dons the back of one fan, Kris Prowse, who has opted – on this ceremonious day – to wear the jersey that started it all.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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From crafting eloquent emails to optimizing complex logistics, AI offers immense convenience, a smooth handover of mental effort.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
LaBeouf delivers this confession with an eloquent conviction that’s a little uncanny.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
The subwoofer adds a bit of low-end extension and should be great for folks who want to use this system to fuel a dance party.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
17 May 2025
-
During the performance, Jordan gave Jen a lap dance, which became a point of contention between some of the women.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
Though conventional stretch offers the wearer many advantages—like asset enhancing fits and more mobility, for example—the environment pays the price as elastane is, essentially, plastic.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
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On conventional comedies, actors break from time to time, and those outtakes usually end up in the credits.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Here’s why: Although technical specifications are still being worked out, the new standard could deliver nominal peak data rates of more than 40Gbps.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
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The main question of contemporary cinema isn’t (pace the nominal avant-garde) whether to tell a story but what story to tell, how to tell it, and, for that matter, what a story is.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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No agents would be put in the field without proper clearance, Covington assured.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
-
To have a golf course — the quality, a major championship-caliber one in Quail Hollow — just south of Charlotte’s center city proper, not a lot of cities can come up with that kind of opportunity.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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