SOLEMNIZE Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

solemnize

verb

Definition of solemnize

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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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 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 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

In Sugar Land, Texas, a 90-foot statue of the deity Hanuman, consecrated in 2024 at a temple complex, continues to draw disparaging comments, including one YouTube personality who recently urged its demolition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
The King’s wife, Queen Mette-Marit, is also expected to be consecrated during the ceremony.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of consecrate

Verb

The 17th-century Georgian stone building is now Hamilton House, a museum that houses documents from the famous forefather’s early years and features exhibits honoring other Caribbean personalities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
For robotexts covered by federal consent rules, revocation requests must generally be honored within 10 business days.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of honor

Verb

For the last five decades, the CZMA has been celebrated as a bipartisan co-management framework that gave coastal and Great Lakes states the power to review and object to federal projects that affect their shorelines.

— Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
In her new role, Danielle will help celebrate her aunt's life and accomplishments while offering a personal perspective on the woman behind the music, according to a press release announcing the appointment.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebrate

Verb

So far, his scheming hasn’t been all that productive, and with Saeed inching into the case, Johnny is more likely to get benched with Molly, who’s mostly there to say lines of expository dialogue, bless her.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
And while he’s been blessed by natural talent and physicality, his rise through the system has been a journey of sacrifice and education.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of bless

Verb

Guns became sacred, and violence was increasingly justified, if not sanctified.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
The church has always preached that humans are created in God’s image; by assuming the messy fragility of human form, God’s son sanctified human experience.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of sanctify

Verb

Authorities said Maldonado Soriano was detained and arrested after officers discovered extensive damage to the limestone sculpture, which commemorates one of the most recognizable moments in American military history.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
In Russia plaques commemorating victims of the Great Purge are being torn down and the last museum of the Gulag has been closed.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of commemorate

Verb

Supporters, including Catholic and Orthodox Jewish school advocates and Democrats for Education Reform, praised the move.

— Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Global Reach, an advocacy group that works to free Americans detained abroad and currently represents five Americans held in Russia, praised the release but called for the other prisoners to come home as well.

— Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of praise

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“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of solemnize

verb

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