1
as in gesture
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
bowing to your guest is a formality you don't need to perform for me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
churchgoers loved the formalities of a traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formality
Those princely beanies and headbands, meanwhile, represent his satirical take on power and formality.
—
Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025
Her new Hollywood Park cafe ditches that formality for grab-and-go convenience centered around the food her partner Jin Chen has at every meal: rice.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
Barcelona’s view, though, is that Martinez’s contract extension is just a formality and that this latest difficulty is not endangering his future at the club.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
The performances have a modestly theatrical formality that, in avoiding showiness, conveys the high pressure of life under constant surveillance.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025
Her new Hollywood Park cafe ditches that formality for grab-and-go convenience centered around the food her partner Jin Chen has at every meal: rice.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
Barcelona’s view, though, is that Martinez’s contract extension is just a formality and that this latest difficulty is not endangering his future at the club.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
The performances have a modestly theatrical formality that, in avoiding showiness, conveys the high pressure of life under constant surveillance.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formality
Noun
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These range from coral restoration in Jamaica to water catchments for schools in Grenada and marine conservation education in Antigua—and even seemingly small gestures that can have a big impact, like supplying technology to an elementary school in the Bahamas.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Mar. 2025
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Israel's spy agency lists failures in preventing Oct. 7 attack Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said in a statement the group would release Alexander, who is alive, and the bodies of four dual nationals as an initial gesture.—
Aya Batrawy,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Create rituals that become nonnegotiable: morning walks to school, Sunday pancakes or being the one who tucks them in at night.—
Jennifer Kamara,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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McCray is accused of punching Wilson in the chest multiple times as part of a hazing ritual for the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, according to investigators.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Towson trimmed the deficit to 49-42 with 13:04 remaining courtesy of an 8-2 burst.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2025
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Jacob and Sophie’s teacher realizes there’s a problem, and puts together an impromptu lesson on basic courtesy in bathrooms.—
Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman,
TIME,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Jeannie Mai and Jeezy got married in March 2021 in an intimate ceremony.—
Regina Cho,
VIBE.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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The ceremony, which was supported by a $1 million donation from Amazon, was streamed live on Prime Video.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In addition to Ducasse’s culinary mastery, offering a cohesive experience that encompasses the liveried staff in period costumes and the ceremonial is part and parcel of the success of the banquet, according to Révah.—
Lily Templeton,
WWD,
20 Feb. 2025
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In Chicago, a second roll-call vote will take place, this one ceremonial.—
Tribune News Service,
The Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Issues over Western arms supplies, international observance of Russian occupied lands, Ukraine’s future security, Ukrainian troops in Kursk and Russia’s continued aerial campaigns over civilian populations all remain major issues that need to be negotiated.—
Caitlin McFall,
Fox News,
19 Mar. 2025
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Each year, themes focusing on specific issues related to women's rights help to direct advocacy and action, making each observance of IWD a potent tool for societal change.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formality. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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