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solemnize

verb

Definition of solemnizenext
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
  1. consecrate
  2. honor
  3. celebrate
  4. bless
  5. sanctify
  6. commemorate
  7. praise
Verb
  • The King’s wife, Queen Mette-Marit, is also expected to be consecrated during the ceremony.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Still, there were only eight African Anglican clergy in Kenya by 1920, and the first Kenyan bishops would not be consecrated until 1955.
    — Stephanie TriplettAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of consecrate
Verb
  • The foundation also hosts the annual Phoenix Awards, a dinner held during CBC Week that honors those viewed as stakeholders by the foundation.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The screenings will take place the same week that Blanchett is to be honored in Tokyo with the festival’s Praemium Imperiale Award.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of honor
Verb
  • About 60 present and past members of the Aurora Lamplighter Chorus and Elgin’s Fox Valley Harmonizers gathered in August to celebrate each group’s 80th anniversary.
    — Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The landmark was illuminated in green, white and red to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day and honor the country’s culture, identity and traditions.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of celebrate
Verb
  • New Balance 1080v15 Sneaker If you’ve been blessed twice — with supination and wide feet, that is — grabbing the 1080v15 from New Balance will kill two birds with one stone.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • But not everyone is blessed like Leonardo DiCaprio to work with Martin Scorsese from the age of 20 or whatever.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 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
  • His work’s broad appeal meant Max was often called on to commemorate special occasions.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The character was featured on a 1974 postage stamp to commemorate the Spokane World’s Fair.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of commemorate
Verb
  • Last week, Lucas praised the team for offering to cover the debt costs, reducing the risk to the city budget.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In its reporting, Southern Living magazine praised the fan-favorite destination for its charming downtown and proximity to scenic views.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of praise

Browse Nearby Words

solemnity
solemnize
solemnized
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Cite this Entry

“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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