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
-
He was ordained a priest days before his 33rd birthday and was consecrated as an auxiliary bishop of his hometown of Buenos Aires in 1992.—
Christine Rousselle,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Later that evening, Rocky himself made an appearance, effectively consecrating his own corner of the fair and Design.Space as a whole.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Accepting the award is bittersweet for the band members, but they’re honored to pay their respects to Vaughn’s legacy.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
30 May 2025
-
The decision — the sabbatical — was arrived at with both intending to honor it.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
By the early 2000s, they were already established icons, celebrated by Caribbean and diasporic audiences worldwide.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
While our differences are to be celebrated, humans are humans.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
My wife, Gerda, and I have been blessed with three release dogs from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), the premier provider of service dogs in the U.S., with which we have been involved for decades.—
Dean Koontz,
People.com,
20 May 2025
-
In an Everton side that is not blessed with flair players, Ndiaye is the exception.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
G‑d’s purpose in creating the world was that all of creation be sanctified, imbuing it with holiness and spirituality.—
Rabbi Moishe Kievman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 May 2025
-
His magnetic, restrained performance gives flesh to this mythical character, without ever sanctifying him.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
When is Pride Month? Pride Month is observed throughout June to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and highlight their fight for rights.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
-
The strategic Maharashtra Day release date holds particular significance, as the holiday commemorates the formation of the state where Shivaji’s legacy remains profoundly influential.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
But authorities were praised for their quick response to the incident and swift updates.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
27 May 2025
-
Debatable, but then again, who doesn’t like being praised.—
Anna Juul,
The Dial,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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