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
The funeral took place in the Cambridge church where her wedding had been solemnized sixteen months earlier.
—
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
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
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
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
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnize
Verb
-
Many Pentecostals, for example, fast for a period in January to consecrate the year ahead.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The ashes are consecrated with holy water and incense before being administered.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The dinner was held under Queen Rania’s patronage, and the event honored the achievements of the nonprofit’s beneficiaries, expressed appreciation for its donors for their ongoing support, and aimed to secure funding for a new cohort of Jordanian youth to complete their higher education.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
-
Nearly 25 years after the attacks, the royal couple laid a bouquet of white flowers at the edge of the south reflecting pool, honoring the lives lost — including 67 British victims — during a brief ceremony on a chilly but sunny afternoon in lower Manhattan.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Jeff Idelson, the executive director of the Say Hey Foundation, also issued a statement celebrating the announcement.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
Bad Wolf celebrated its ten-year anniversary in 2025.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The county plan, meanwhile, has been blessed at different times by other city boards, including the historic preservation board, the urban design review board and the City Commission, sometimes after initial denials were overturned by courts.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
-
May God bless Joe (Doug's son) and his whole family.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
When a couple marry in a church, synagogue or mosque, the ceremony does more than sanctify a union.—
Peter McGraw,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Like much of the first half of the episode, before the plane crash, this gala sequence is shot in silky gold colors, as if John and Carolyn had already been sanctified.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Queen Rania of Jordan opted for a glittering gold Giorgio Armani design for a charity dinner commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Al Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans on Tuesday night in Amman, Jordan.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
-
The company, a nonprofit, all-volunteer group, commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord and the evacuation of Lexington.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Birds aren’t the only ones who love this design; many reviewers can’t stop praising its functionality and aesthetic.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2026
-
Some of Will and Kate's Instagram followers picked up on the polish, praising the parents for allowing their daughter to buck unspoken traditions that call for muted, demure nails.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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