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 The overnight journey evokes a wide range of emotions in Sardinia’s pilgrims — joy, hope, solemnity and catharsis. — New York Times, 19 May 2026 For McQuoid, that appears to mean making a film devoid of color, shooting the incoherent fight sequences against murky backdrops, and treating the origin story of secondary protagonist Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) with the solemnity of a biblical reading. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 May 2026 There were plenty of moments of silliness to go along with the solemnity in Tuesday’s show. — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026 Good Friday and Holy Saturday will be observed in local Catholic churches with characteristic solemnity, dignity and beauty. — From Staff Reports, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2 Apr. 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
  • There’s a gravity, even a melancholy to her Mary Stone, which drew on Fabares’ ability to project a genuine inner life into the least promising scenarios.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Biting into it feels tectonic, cracking and flaking and crumbling, the gravity of umami keeping it all together.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of gravity
Noun
  • One of my favorite parts is the wellness scene in winter, when a dip in the heated pool followed by the sauna makes a cold beach day feel like its own kind of ritual.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Rituals, Retail and a Wellness Curator Beyond the machines, the spa is betting just as heavily on ritual, anchored by their wellness experience curator who works with guests to create relaxation rituals that resonate beyond the stay.
    — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • Adults is almost always at its best when there’s a method to the madness, a kernel of earnestness at the heart of it all.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That the earnestness the genre requires galls us cynics, who love to hide in our books, away from all those pesky bodies in the first place?
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of earnestness
Noun
  • The Vienna ceremony this summer honored nine Holocaust victims at eight different sites where each family told its own story.
    — David Pollak, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs is scheduled to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at the historic theater, marking a major milestone for a project that began the first phase of construction in 2011.
    — LaMonica Peters, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of ceremony
Noun
  • Interim Police Chief Doug Brinkley issued an executive order May 20 barring officers from initiating pursuits solely for minor traffic offenses or city ordinance violations unless something increases the seriousness of the incident.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Her ethos has long been that each opponent should be treated with equal seriousness.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of seriousness
Noun
  • In video clips shared online, Zgraggen smiled at the camera and described walking to a beach during the observance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In another observance, it was noticed that Willis doesn’t tie his shoes.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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