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

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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
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • The miniature ones are small enough that the gravity doesn’t affect them in that way.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of gravity
Noun
  • This is the Gion Matsuri festival, born more than 1,000 years ago as a ritual to ward off epidemics and celebrated in the former imperial city of Kyoto throughout July.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Use music intentionally for transitions, gatherings and shared rituals.
    — Bija Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • The earnestness of this story just doesn’t work as well when everything is done in such blatantly artificial ways and for obvious pursuit of profit.
    — Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 8 July 2026
  • Despite the seriocomic set-up, as Vibeke gets more unstable, Mengel refuses to play her irrationality for laughs, instead taking the more difficult route of earnestness.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026
Definition of earnestness
Noun
  • There was a brief closing ceremony, at which Enhanced had arranged for the Killers to play a set.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Trump was expected to sign the housing bill at Capitol Hill during a ceremony in June, but abruptly canceled in protest over the Senate’s inaction in passing his election legislation, the SAVE America Act.
    — Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026
Definition of ceremony
Noun
  • The argument draws on Vladimir Solovyov, a 19th-century Russian philosopher, and on Pope Benedict XVI, and it is developed with genuine theological seriousness.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 July 2026
  • The cocktails carry the seriousness of people who actually care about balance.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of seriousness
Noun
  • Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that observe observance of year-round Standard Time.
    — Mary Ella Hastings Updated July 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
  • Arbaeen, Shiʿi Muslim observance that marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the death of al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī, which is commemorated annually on Ashura.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026
Definition of observance

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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 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on solemnity

Nglish: Translation of solemnity for Spanish Speakers

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