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
-
Even if all these sunny promises are enshrined in contracts, built into budgets, and consecrated with good intentions, there are still plenty of ways the whole project could go kerflooey.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
He also was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023 and nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025 and 2026.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The monument honors the National Woman’s Party, which fought for suffrage in the early 19th century.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This month, Burberry marked its 170th anniversary with a campaign celebrating the signature trench.—
Maliha Shoaib,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2026
-
As conservationists celebrate that win, the story for birds nationwide is not so rosy.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sweet Venus begins blessing your foundation zone today, reminding you of all the thoughtful tweaks that could make your space feel calmer and more welcoming.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
May God bless all our broken hearts.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That was until Pope Leo inadvertently sanctified them in 2026.—
Paul Keane,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
-
For King, defending a people did not mean sanctifying a state.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Atlanta Hawks had announced plans to commemorate a legendary, long-standing strip club, Magic City, at an upcoming game, and Kornet objected.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
That same night, the chamber hosted a reunion for Rainbow PUSH alumni to commemorate Jackson and his years of activism.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, praised Jackson as a peacemaker and humanitarian.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Owner António Silva, 66, has been running his no-frills charcoal-grill shop for four decades, but his newfound fame started after he was praised online by a Chinese influencer.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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