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
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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
-
This involves pairing each nursing student with an experienced nurse preceptor from day one — an approach that builds clinical confidence early while honoring the vital role of bedside nurses in education.—
Shakira Henderson,
Sun Sentinel,
18 May 2025
-
Last year, he was honored with a trophy for a voice role in the 2023 U.K. action thriller Control by the Folkestone Independent Film Awards in addition to receiving Italy’s Nations Award for Lifetime Achievement at a special gala in the historic southern Sicilian town of Taormina.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
Her breakthrough third album Control, which recently celebrated its 39th anniversary, was the first by a woman to yield five top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and follow-up Rhythm Nation 1814 is to date the only album to spawn seven top-five charting songs on the Billboard Hot 100.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2025
-
To celebrate the company’s 20-year anniversary, founder Trish Share developed a cross-country mountain biking trip called the Costa Rica Cycle Challenge.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside Online,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Their prayers were answered and they were blessed with a boy child, or in the case of Rachel with two sons.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 May 2025
-
The pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the entire world, that Easter morning.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
His magnetic, restrained performance gives flesh to this mythical character, without ever sanctifying him.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 May 2025
-
In the West, she’s been sanctified, but also portrayed as a sinner, a nun, a mystic, and Jesus’ wife.—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
King Charles' office is sharing a brand new royal symbol commemorating the last stage in the transition to his reign.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
10 May 2025
-
Mr Justice Popplewell cut the ribbon on an emotional day when a mural commemorating the 56 victims of the fire was also unveiled.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Like several Republicans, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee praised Kennedy for his work promoting healthy foods.—
Amanda Seitz,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
Meanwhile over at Rolling Stone, David Fear praises the film for staying true to the series’ gentle, eccentric tone that never fails to be filled with empathy.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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