Synonym Chooser

How is the word celebrate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of celebrate are commemorate, keep, and observe. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

In what contexts can commemorate take the place of celebrate?

The synonyms commemorate and celebrate are sometimes interchangeable, but commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When might keep be a better fit than celebrate?

The words keep and celebrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

When is observe a more appropriate choice than celebrate?

The words observe and celebrate can be used in similar contexts, but observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

Examples 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 celebrate Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson — one of the members of the ownership group — was seen celebrating and congratulating Zach Ertz and Terry McLaurin just outside of the Commanders locker room after the win. Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 Gibson, then 23, watched online as her friends celebrated graduating from college, landing their first corporate jobs and moving to new cities. Morgan Smith, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025 The week ahead may bring you reasons to celebrate in business or love, even if there has been some tension and uncertainty around a core union. Kyle Thomas, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025 Likewise, San Francisco’s highly impactful Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915 celebrated the Panama Canal’s feat of engineering by presenting a Palace of Machinery alongside a Palace of Fine Arts, signaling the parity between art and science to more than eighteen million visitors. Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for celebrate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celebrate
Verb
  • But while law enforcement praises corporations for handing over driver data, others are concerned that most of the information collected could be violating people’s privacy.
    Chris Isidore, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The conversation between the three actresses then shifted to Shields' praising Swift for discussing body image and the pressure to look perfect during her 2020 documentary, Miss Americana.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The appeal of all things Whalers is going be commemorated at the 50th year anniversary celebration this weekend.
    Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The marble structure commemorates the spot where hundreds of thousands of Jews were assembled before being deported to concentration camps in 1942 and 1943.
    Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Does reading about sharks that can walk on land fill you with awe about our planet and the incredible adaptations that animals are blessed with to survive and thrive?
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well.
    Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near celebrate

Cite this Entry

“Celebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celebrate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on celebrate

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