solemnity

noun

sə-ˈlem-nə-tē How to pronounce solemnity (audio)
Definition of solemnitynext
1
as in intentness
a mental state free of jesting or trifling the coronation ceremony requires absolute solemnity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules the solemnities of the Easter vigil service

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of solemnity Their extraordinary height, massive trunks and quiet solemnity really moved me. — Antonia Bowring, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Gore is best known for Make America Great Again, her 2016 naked portrait of Trump with the paunch and solemnity of the great men of art history, adding, crucially, the tiniest of compensatory micropenises. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026 As his own self-celebration has fizzled, a void has opened between the scheduled roster of events and the true purpose and meaning of the solemnity of July 4, 2026. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026 All the secrecy and almost solemnity added to the anticipation of a launch that was five years in the making. — Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for solemnity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnity
  1. gravity
  2. ritual
  3. earnestness
  4. ceremony
  5. seriousness
  6. observance
Noun
  • Temporary satellites, or mini-moons, are small asteroids that wander into Earth’s neighborhood and get captured briefly by our planet’s gravity.
    — Andrew Jones, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Its forward motion carries it around Earth while gravity pulls it toward the planet.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of gravity
Noun
  • The Value of Cooking The act of cooking the food is also considered an important ritual during Dia de los Muertos as a way of calling in or inviting your ancestors to make the journey from the afterlife to join with family still living human life.
    — Zayda Rivera, Parents, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Long used in pagan rituals and spell casting—typically placed on dedicated altars—candles are seen as the bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.
    — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • On and off the court, Miller approaches his job with an earnestness born out of clawing for every minute off the bench.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • But the earnestness of their performances, the texture of their hesitation, makes the video far more compelling than any of its deepfake counterparts.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of earnestness
Noun
  • Machado was briefly detained in January 2025, following a protest against Maduro's planned swearing-in ceremony, and went into hiding in Venezuela for 11 months.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Adebayo, who took over as Heat captain when Haslem retired, is also on a path that could result in a Heat jersey retirement ceremony down the road.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of ceremony
Noun
  • Part of the pleasure is hearing Satanic Planet expertly chart the narrow path between Satan Is Real-style camp and the self-seriousness of decades of supposedly satanic black metal.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In all seriousness, the now-46-year-old grew up studying — and remains very passionate about — the art of magic.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of seriousness
Noun
  • On White Cane Awareness Day, an annual observance celebrating the achievements and independence of visually impaired individuals, Darnes and more than 50 other veterans received a free pair of Meta smart glasses.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Dedicated to empowering Black Philadelphians Philadelphia Martyrs Day is an annual observance that pays homage to the five Philadelphia men who fought for Black suffrage and were killed in the 1871 election.
    — Timothy Welbeck, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of observance

Browse Nearby Words

solemnities
solemnity
solemnize
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Cite this Entry

“Solemnity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnity. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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