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
-
Rob practiced celebrating the Mass by draping a sheet over an ironing board in the basement and consecrating Necco wafers.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The zenith of the SSPX’s feud with the Vatican followed Lefebvre’s decision in 1988 to illicitly consecrate four bishops without Rome’s approval and in explicit disregard of warnings from then-Pope John Paul II.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
While Constantine died before the filming of 2023’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, the plot of the movie paid tribute to the actor, revolving around a family trip to Greece intended to honor his character’s last wish.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The 2026 Golden Globes are tonight — the first major award show of the year to honor standouts in film and television.—
Jordan Freiman,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The couple shared a sweet moment together as the actor celebrated his big win at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Some bring the joy of surfing to kids dealing with trauma and celebrate older surfers in an annual contest.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Residents of Northern California might perk up their ears at the inclusion of the Columbia River Gorge, a rugged and waterfall-blessed region in Oregon and Washington that’s within striking range.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
And if she's found happiness, God bless.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Smith helped sanctify Bieber’s public rehabilitations, officiated his wedding, and is now godfather to the Biebers’ baby son, Jack Blues.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
-
These are the kinds of faces O’Rourke foregrounds, similarly centering the quotidian to sanctifying effect.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Staffers were sent with hats and T-shirts to commemorate the completion of a goal Vrabel first mentioned back in April.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In a December 2020 Instagram post, Koma commemorated their first anniversary with a black-and-white photo from their wedding.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His unique style made his work a major influence on art house cinema including American filmmakers Gus van Sant and Jim Jarmusch, who have praised his vision.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Don’t be afraid to praise good work — doing so sets a tone that turns routine collaboration into something people enjoy.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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