as in to consecrate
formal
to mark (something) officially or formally especially with a religious ceremony
The priest solemnized their marriage.
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Recent Examples of solemnize
Lee signs bill allowing officiants to decline to perform marriages
Lee quietly signed into law a bill allowing officiants to decline to solemnize marriages for any reason, which has been criticized by the LGBTQ community as antagonistic.
—
Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
In one temple, an officiant claimed that his facility had solemnized 1,500 mixed marriages over the last five years.
—Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2013
The vows were solemnized by Hunter S. Thompson who was an ordained minister.
—Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023
Once received, the license must be solemnized with a ceremony conducted by someone recognized as having the legal power do so.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2020
According to custom in these conservative Hindu communities, while weddings are often solemnized at very young ages, a bride typically is sent to live with her husband’s family and consummate the union in her teens.
—Author: Shashank Bengali, Anchorage Daily News, 24 June 2018
Paper can also help us with solemnizing our transactions — making them official.
—David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2018
There is no marker to solemnize the death of the Spurs' unmatched dynasty: RIP 1997-2017.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2018
Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
In one temple, an officiant claimed that his facility had solemnized 1,500 mixed marriages over the last five years.
—Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2013
The vows were solemnized by Hunter S. Thompson who was an ordained minister.
—Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023
Once received, the license must be solemnized with a ceremony conducted by someone recognized as having the legal power do so.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2020
According to custom in these conservative Hindu communities, while weddings are often solemnized at very young ages, a bride typically is sent to live with her husband’s family and consummate the union in her teens.
—Author: Shashank Bengali, Anchorage Daily News, 24 June 2018
Paper can also help us with solemnizing our transactions — making them official.
—David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2018
There is no marker to solemnize the death of the Spurs' unmatched dynasty: RIP 1997-2017.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnize
Verb
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Some of these caves have fireplaces, and some were consecrated and used as churches, known as rupestre.—
Aileen Weintraub,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 July 2025
-
And so, next door to the photo booth where Nic and Cierra consecrated their mutual vibe, cowgirl style, Hannah climbs onto Pepe’s muscular thighs and gets a little cowgirl make-out of her own.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Marquis Who’s Who honors Gene Saunders for his contributions to public safety and technology integration.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Bess' friends wanted to honor his memory by making dying wishes come true for some adults with life-threatening illnesses.—
The Tennessean,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The company previously offered the deal in March and April to celebrate the company’s 85th birthday.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Plus, there will be a dance floor to give neighbors a space to celebrate, said Van Galen.—
Alyssa N. Salcedo,
jsonline.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Penguins also aren’t blessed with many forwards who are good defensively.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Now that Superman is available to watch at home, fans have been blessed with David Corenswet‘s audition to play Clark Kent.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In Gaza, addressing famine means sanctifying life instead of normalizing violent death.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
-
If you were seated at her Met Gala, you weren’t just seen—you were sanctified.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The Air Force base and the airport's original name commemorated Charles Linton Williams, an Arizona native who was a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Beckham commemorates their one-year anniversary by sharing a portrait of them nestled in a bathtub together.—
Hanna Lustig,
Glamour,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Another was praised for being someone who supervisors trusted.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
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But just a couple of decades ago, wine (especially red wine) was praised for its positive health benefits, even on 60-Minutes, with their famous ‘French Paradox’ show.—
Liz Thach,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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