1
as in intentness
a mental state free of jesting or trifling
the coronation ceremony requires absolute solemnity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Since then, Máxima has reserved it for state dinners and high-level diplomatic events, combining it with contemporary styles that allow the rubies to stand out without stiffness or excessive solemnity.
—
Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 25 Jan. 2026
Zohran Mamdani’s genial grin would have seemed unsustainably mild in the angry eighties, when Koch’s sarcasm fenced with Giuliani’s snarl, occasionally relieved by Mario Cuomo’s solemnity.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
These early broadcasts featured figures like Lola Beltrán and María Victoria, lending an aura of solemnity and glamour.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 12 Dec. 2025
There are dozens of little moments of quiet kindness and profound mourning, of gentle reflection and solemnity, of nature reaching out to Atsu, and by proxy, the player.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for solemnity
Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 25 Jan. 2026
Zohran Mamdani’s genial grin would have seemed unsustainably mild in the angry eighties, when Koch’s sarcasm fenced with Giuliani’s snarl, occasionally relieved by Mario Cuomo’s solemnity.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
These early broadcasts featured figures like Lola Beltrán and María Victoria, lending an aura of solemnity and glamour.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 12 Dec. 2025
There are dozens of little moments of quiet kindness and profound mourning, of gentle reflection and solemnity, of nature reaching out to Atsu, and by proxy, the player.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for solemnity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnity
Noun
-
The Spa’s Herb Garden taps the island’s organic bounty, growing plants used in treatments, rituals, and teas.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In one, second-generation immigrant Gloria (Katy Correa) returns to her father’s home village in rural Guinea-Bissau for a traditional memorial ritual to mark the old man’s recent passing, and to introduce her twentysomething daughter Nour (D’Johé Kouadio) to her ancestral motherland.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The venue change made for a tidy metaphor, but this was a shift in gravity.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Defying gravity, The Rookie Season 8 premiere was up from last season’s premiere in MP+3 viewership, ranking as the show’s biggest premiere on streaming and among Top 5 ABC premieres of all time.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In 2020, Congressman John Lewis, another veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda after a ceremony honoring his legacy was held outside on the Capitol steps due to pandemic restrictions at the time.—
MATT BROWN,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In 2020, Congressman John Lewis, another veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda after a ceremony honoring his legacy was held outside on the Capitol steps due to pandemic restrictions at the time.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The earnestness transferred into the character and lifted it.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Critically blasted but massively popular with audiences, this dream project is the height of kitsch, somehow made palatable by Richard’s characteristic earnestness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those federal statutes are enforceable through the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which directs courts to set aside agency actions when they are taken without observance of procedural requirements and in abuse of agency discretion.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
During the two-hour observance, cars lined up in the church parking lot as individuals paused briefly to receive ashes before continuing on with their day.—
Staff Photographer,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a seriousness about her.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Yet, as stretched as Newcastle’s squad is, their progress in so many competitions also reflects the seriousness with which Howe is taking them all.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Solemnity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnity. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
