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
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
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
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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
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Much like the saints being honored, the vigil is aimed at young people and families, said Sister Alexia Zaldivar of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, one of the organizers of the vigil.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The game is just the start of Nashville Fire's work to honor those involved in 9/11.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When a new Raising Cane’s opens, the chain celebrates by hosting a community giveback and a chance for customers to win free Cane’s for a year.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Collaboration looks like departments sharing resources, teammates celebrating each other’s wins and leaders encouraging ideas from everyone.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If instead the corporation digs in, further empowering the unwitting wreckers and saboteurs — well, bless their hearts.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
God bless, and God save the wrist.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Putin and Kim were among more than 20 world leaders in attendance for China’s military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Putin had attended China’s military parade in 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, according to Chinese state media.—
Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Parents expressed concerns and criticism over the handling of the situation, praising Gonzalez's impact on the school community.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Experts have praised this trend for offsetting unrealistic beauty standards that are especially pervasive on social media.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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