as in proms
a social gathering for dancing
he asked her to the formal at the end of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formals
Noun
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The nearby Hilton Hotel held proms and homecomings, according to Collins.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026 -
The trolley has been used for events like weddings and proms for over a decade.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the distance, light dances off Pure Amazon's windows.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Three different types of percussion — the cumaco, the culo e’puya and the tamboras — work together to create a sound commonly heard at Venezuelan dances.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In typical provincial fashion, these four days of festivities include crafts, great food, bluegrass music, and an opportunity to visit sugar camps, where sap is boiled down into delightfully rich syrup.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Yesica Aramburo traveled on vacation to Mexico in April 2017 for the festivities in her Mexican family’s town of La Moncada, Guanajuato, in the center of the country.—
Karen Esquivel,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Despite major changes this year to timing and logistics, SXSW will again spotlight comedy and action films that other festivals don’t show, as well as be a hotbed for discovery of new talent.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Formals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formals. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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