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
-
Members of the veteran community also honored her final act of service.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Chinese Communist Party is resurrecting one of its favorite complaints against the Japanese government, decrying officials’ routine visit to a shrine honoring dead soldiers of World War II.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The upcoming third annual WIE Canada summit will again bring together the Canadian industry across TV, film and music to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women leading the industry forward.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Keys will also perform twice throughout the night to celebrate the milestone of her 2001 debut album, Songs in A Minor, including a performance with the Top 3.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Medical science has blessed our generation with an abundance of preventive methods — including vaccines — and treatments that enable a far greater percentage of us to live longer and healthier lives than our forebears.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Byrne's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 at Holy Name Cathedral, blessed by Cardinal Blase Cupich.—
Suzanne Le Mignot,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
There was no contradiction for these women in using sacred imagery to dramatize erotic love, or Scripture to sanctify desire.—
Chandler Fritz,
The New York Review of Books,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Reportedly, Prince Harry sent flowers to the Queen’s grave at the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle to commemorate her birthday.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Its opening date will commemorate the first time the city’s farmers market opened in 1982, said Kristina Stanley, the Overland Park Farmers Market manager.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The response was praised by Republican politicians, who widely denounced the content of the chats, which was filled with slurs for Black, Jewish and gay people and included graphic calls for violence against Black people.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Cornice headboards are trending again, praised for a classic, layered look.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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