as in festivals
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
attended the gala celebrating the reopening of the museum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of galas
The New York City Ballet galas are famous, of course, for the performances by the dancers, but also for a blink-and-you-miss-it red carpet dash by Mick Jagger.
—
Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
Keep reading to see how eight Vogue editors dress for springtime galas.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 4 May 2026
Simone Ashley stunned in Moschino and Prabal Gurung at the 2022 and 2024 galas, respectively.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Bella Hadid, a model who has attended multiple previous galas, liked a video on Instagram calling out celebrities who plan to attend this year’s gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, according to Forbes.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 4 May 2026
Lighting guru and artist Bentley Meeker, who has lit hundreds of events and galas, said there are ways to do it better.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
Hollywood puts on hundreds of events each year — premieres, galas and FYC events — and the majority of the time those red carpets are not recycled.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Checks and galas Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon introduces Clay Fuller after his victory in Tuesday's runoff election.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Mandelman, the president of the board, had the busiest social calendar of all his colleagues for the second year running, accepting tickets to nearly 20 parties, galas, awards ceremonies and luncheons.
—Alyce McFadden, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
Keep reading to see how eight Vogue editors dress for springtime galas.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 4 May 2026
Simone Ashley stunned in Moschino and Prabal Gurung at the 2022 and 2024 galas, respectively.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Bella Hadid, a model who has attended multiple previous galas, liked a video on Instagram calling out celebrities who plan to attend this year’s gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, according to Forbes.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 4 May 2026
Lighting guru and artist Bentley Meeker, who has lit hundreds of events and galas, said there are ways to do it better.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
Hollywood puts on hundreds of events each year — premieres, galas and FYC events — and the majority of the time those red carpets are not recycled.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Checks and galas Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon introduces Clay Fuller after his victory in Tuesday's runoff election.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Mandelman, the president of the board, had the busiest social calendar of all his colleagues for the second year running, accepting tickets to nearly 20 parties, galas, awards ceremonies and luncheons.
—Alyce McFadden, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for galas
Noun
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Elaborate heritage festivals occur nearly every autumn weekend in the island’s interior.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
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Bentley and Kwedar will also develop a slate with up-and-coming filmmakers selected from the world’s top festivals and film schools.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Kate Perez The royal visit is part of the celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the United States.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination for the second straight game with a clutch Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, but celebrations were briefly halted when a skirmish erupted over a controversial hit on Sidney Crosby after the final buzzer.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At home in New York, there’s the pre-Met festivities.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
2 May 2026
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After the festivities during the day, Friday and Saturday nights will be capped with musical performances from Kaskade, Mustard and Subtronics.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Galas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galas. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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