as in to consecrate
formal
to mark (something) officially or formally especially with a religious ceremony
The priest solemnized their marriage.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
-
Opposition politician Nadezhdin, his supporters and other activist groups have filed for permission to hold rallies in dozens of cities on April 12, when Russia marks Cosmonautics Day, honoring the 1961 flight of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Gentry also volunteered with several nonprofits and was a member of the Charlotte Symphony’s board, where he was honored for his service.—
Chase Jordan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The non-profit is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.—
Amanda Rosa
April 9,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Lauren Betts and her UCLA teammates celebrated the Bruins' first NCAA women's basketball championship with their fans at Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The families hollered in celebration and got an extra moment for photos once the popemobile stopped so Leo could bless a couple of babies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
We were blessed to have a writers’ room that could generate 20 to 25 movie ideas.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
10 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
-
At Humble Beginnings Tattoo, a shop that has operated for more than two decades, artists are offering promotions throughout the week as customers line up to commemorate their connection to the city.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
To commemorate the feat, Dodge unveiled the GT2 Championship Edition, a special GTS that was the closest thing drivers could get to a street-legal version of the championship vehicle.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dewitt also praised JaCorey Stewart’s speed.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Then praised Illini Nation for its support.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
