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
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
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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Some of these caves have fireplaces, and some were consecrated and used as churches, known as rupestre.—
Aileen Weintraub,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 July 2025
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And so, next door to the photo booth where Nic and Cierra consecrated their mutual vibe, cowgirl style, Hannah climbs onto Pepe’s muscular thighs and gets a little cowgirl make-out of her own.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
Verb
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These first drafts honoring America’s 250th Birthday and @POTUS are real.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Also, this year’s event will honor Doug Chiang, senior vice president and executive design director of Lucasfilm, with the View Visionary Award for his contributions to the industry.—
Terry Flores,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Someone tried to senselessly end her life, yet now thousands of people are cheering for her and celebrating every milestone.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
For its inaugural partnership, the skin care and makeup line, founded by Selena Gomez in 2019, teamed up with Tajín to drop a spicy lip and cheek set celebrating the bold flavor of the Clásico Seasoning mix and the Chamoy Sauce.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
God blessed me with 7 beautiful children—3 sons and 4 daughters.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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On Thursday, Aryatara will bless the president and supporters.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mitevska also refuses to sanctify Mother Teresa more than necessary, instead portraying her as a strict disciplinarian who believed in organizational practicality as much as in the inherent holiness of children.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
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In Gaza, addressing famine means sanctifying life instead of normalizing violent death.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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On June 25, Kidman shared a photo of herself cuddled up to Urban on Instagram to commemorate their wedding anniversary.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
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In July, Taylor shared photos on Instagram as the happy couple commemorated their first anniversary together.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Johnson praised the president’s campaign advising Salvadorans on how to stay healthy during COVID-19.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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Dean and Dan Caten recalled meeting Armani during many summer holidays throughout the Mediterranean and also praised his generosity toward them and young designers.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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