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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My aunt and uncle, who live in Santa Fe—home to the International Folk Art Market, one of the largest such festivals in the world (the next one is July 9-12)—are devoted flea-market pickers and collectors of antique oddities.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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Delpierre says Catalonia is also attractive because of its extensive experience both in theatrical releases, international festivals and working with major streaming platforms.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Noun
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His goal sparked wild celebrations inside St Mary’s, none more so than in the press box, where Southampton’s analysts, doing the opposite of keeping a low profile amid the allegations levelled at the club, were enthusiastically bouncing around.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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In the four years since Alpha Games, Okereke and the band have played a series of big shows as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations behind Silent Alarm.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Following Friday’s pregame festivities, Pedro Martinez made his way up to the press box and said standing on the field with his fellow club legends gave him goosebumps.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
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Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko attended the festivities in the Russian capital.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Galas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/galas. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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