solemnize

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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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 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 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
  • 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
  • Davion and Donta King were there to honor their father, Anthony King, a transportation department employee who died in 2013.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The event features more than 40 ofrendas honoring family and friends who have died.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The unforgettable moment took an emotional turn when Robert Stack read a letter, written by Arnaz on his deathbed, that celebrated Ball in that moment of achievement.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • To celebrate the milestone, Oaktree is releasing a digital archive of all Marks' writings along with a collection of his 45 favorites.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Trinity community has been blessed by his presence.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Usually, the question was couched in politeness, but my students (bless them) had not yet learned to be subtle.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Mitevska also refuses to sanctify Mother Teresa more than necessary, instead portraying her as a strict disciplinarian who believed in organizational practicality as much as in the inherent holiness of children.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
  • In Gaza, addressing famine means sanctifying life instead of normalizing violent death.
    Karl Vick, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, faced criticism from some conservatives over a social media post commemorating Native American Day instead of Columbus Day—but his state was the first to end recognition of Columbus Day.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • In 2024, the brand dedicated itself to commemorating National Hot Flash Day, acknowledging the idiosyncratic changes women’s bodies go through during menopause.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The bills were also praised by animal rights organizations; the governor also signed a bill this week to ban the declawing of cats in the state.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • While praising Keaton as a performer, Meyers, who wrote Baby Boom and the Father of the Bride films and wrote and directed Something’s Gotta Give, looked back on their close working relationship.
    Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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