1
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
a formal meeting of the board of directors a formal contract that was legally binding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in titular
being something in name or form only
was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ceremonious
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
gave her a formal invitation to dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dress
relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners
the dress code is formal for tonight's event a shop that rents out formal wear
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in eloquent
very dignified in form, tone, or style
the formal language of the coronation ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dance
a social gathering for dancing
he asked her to the formal at the end of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formal
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
This is how Cintas Acuario was born in the late 1980s — a label that, without any formal facilities, gained a reputation thanks to its founder’s knack for promoting and marketing his artists’ music by distributing it to small shops in the area and in Tijuana, across the Mexican border.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 18 June 2024
At the time of his disappearance, Strain and his fellow Delta Chi fraternity members traveled to Tennessee for the group’s annual formal.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for formal
Adjective
The formal renaming of the department would require Congress to act, but the order is expected to say the new name can be used in official correspondence and ceremonial contexts and non-statutory documents.
—Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
This is how Cintas Acuario was born in the late 1980s — a label that, without any formal facilities, gained a reputation thanks to its founder’s knack for promoting and marketing his artists’ music by distributing it to small shops in the area and in Tijuana, across the Mexican border.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
Strain went missing after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 18 June 2024
At the time of his disappearance, Strain and his fellow Delta Chi fraternity members traveled to Tennessee for the group’s annual formal.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for formal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formal
Adjective
-
In fact, the presidents of the Central Pacific and, yes, Union Pacific railroads met in 1869 to drive the final ceremonial rail stake into the ground, connecting the east and west coasts.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The Irish presidency is mostly ceremonial and is directly elected every seven years.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Over 35 years after the release of Tim Burton's 1988 horror comedy Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton reprises his iconic role as the titular character in the 2024 sequel.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
At its core, writer-director Bretten Hannam‘s tale follows two siblings (played by Blake Alec Miranda and Forrest Goodluck) traveling through the titular haunted forest in order to exorcise some demons from their lives.—
William Earl,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
At some schools, the general manager is a ceremonious one, given to a program’s famous alumnus who can help gin up interest and money.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Prior to kickoff in the game that marked the debut of the baby blue Riptide jersey, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas officially welcomed De Paul with the same type of ceremonious presentation that was given in years past to the star foursome of Messi, Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets.—
Franco Panizo,
Miami Herald,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
For Macdonald, this most eloquent of memoirs emerged from the death of her father, photographer Alisdair MacDonald, aka Ali Mac.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
-
This article also delved into networked projects, such as Andreas Raus’ eloquent and multifaceted Symphony for n Metronomes, released in partnership with Fakewhale Gallery, the platform’s equally dynamic curatorial branch.—
Ana María Caballero,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Expect sing-alongs, dances, interactive crafts and 10 enchanting performances designed to captivate kids and parents alike.—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
-
While music can play on forever under the baton of a fresh conductor and dance can be handed down via choreographic records from one generation to the next, last night’s theatrical triumph can never be fully replicated.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The technique might also yield interesting possibilities in cell therapy or precision surgery, where conventional tools are too large or blunt.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Such intimate screenings and parties will continue in different locations as the film makes its way into conventional theaters.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Is this the flipside of a higher nominal-growth metabolism across the world?—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
-
On the eve of World War I, Britain’s total debt, in nominal pounds, was about the same as 1819.—
Nathan Lewis,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There is a duty of care not to use data for the sake of it, but rather to ensure that analysis stands up to proper scrutiny and scientific rigour where possible.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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