1
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
a century ago everyday life was much more ceremonious than in our anything-goes era
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2
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
the ceremonious regalia of the Swiss Guards, the pope's traditional body guards
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ceremonious
The ceremony sets the stage for each day’s contests and activities which include a ceremonious entrance led by a Native American veteran color guard, visiting dignitaries and tribal royalty, followed by dancers of all ages.
—
Staff Reports, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Roberts began the process while Melania was still finalizing her position, which may have disrupted the ceremonious act.
—Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Staff Reports, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Roberts began the process while Melania was still finalizing her position, which may have disrupted the ceremonious act.
—Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonious
Adjective
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The formal wardrobe for the men’s and women’s football teams, as well as the men’s basketball team, includes ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories that will be worn during official representations.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
13 June 2025
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Additionally, Márquez reported that on Thursday his delegation submitted a formal request to the Apostolic Nunciature in El Salvador, asking for the intervention of Pope Leo and citing the pontiff’s commitment to migrant rights.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Based on the blade decorations, sheath shape and burial location on Okinoshima, researchers concluded the 1,300-year-old artifact was made to be a ritual offering or to have a ceremonial purpose, not to be a functional weapon.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
20 June 2025
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In Virginia, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held for rebuilding the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, one of the nation's oldest Black churches.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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More decorous versions simply excluded Jews, Blacks, and others to create those ethnic enclaves Vance decries in the form of elite institutions from country clubs to, formerly, Congress and the courts.—
Rebecca Solnit
August 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Aug. 2024
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Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.—
Jeffrey Weiss,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Nevertheless, nice to get an explanation for why Vondrousova has been invisible.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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The music is a successful part of the show, so artists want to be a part of it, which is nice.—
Clarissa Brooks,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Only the buzz of Israeli drones overhead filled the solemn silence.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
7 June 2025
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The score becomes grand and syrupy whenever there’s a big emotional revelation; characters deliver solemn soliloquies on the orderly beauty of math.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Most interesting is Cane’s prim and proper wife, Peyton (Danielle Campbell).—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
19 June 2025
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Hollywood studios and craftspeople may be busy agonizing over the proper role of AI’s potential within the film industry, but Chinese studios aren’t slowing down.—
Mathew Scott,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonious. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
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