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
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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
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The ashes are consecrated with holy water and incense before being administered.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Daniel Pearl Memorial lecture series honors the late journalist and is considered the capstone of the university’s Burkle Center for International Relations.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Celebrated by over 2 billion people — primarily in East and Southeast Asian cultures — Lunar New Year focuses on family reunions, honoring ancestors and welcoming good fortune and prosperity into the coming year.—
Ashley Opina,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Always the competitor, Griffey is excited about the chance to get the shot of the World Baseball Classic, just like his photo of Rory McIlroy celebrating his 2025 Masters victory.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In China, fans have no qualms about her dual identity – even celebrating her two silver medals this week and defending her against any criticisms for missing out on gold.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
So far, the closest person the 2020s have to fill that slot is Glen Powell, a native of the Lone Star State blessed with a smile that melts butter and and aw-shucks amiability.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The health tech crew has found a way to monetize our heartbeat, God bless ‘em.—
Zach Przystup,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For King, defending a people did not mean sanctifying a state.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
But months later, the campaign to sanctify Kirk appears to have backfired in some ways.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mayor Johnson pointed to a visit with Jackson to Selma, Alabama, to commemorate Bloody Sunday — the infamous day in 1965 in which some 600 marchers set off from Selma headed for the state capital of Montgomery in response to a shooting that killed a civil rights activist.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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On this day, many Christians mark their Lenten journey by receiving ashes made from the palms distributed during the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration, the first day of Holy Week, which commemorates Jesus's entry into Jerusalem.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And in 2025, to celebrate the Air Max 95’s 30th anniversary, Nike went all-in with a true-to-OG Big Bubble redesign, which has been universally praised by industry insiders and consumers alike.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
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However, while users have praised the technology, Seedance has run into trouble.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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