1
as in unconventional
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules
an informal meeting allowed everyone to get acquainted
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in casual
not designed to be worn only on special occasions
chose an informal flowery dress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in colloquial
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing
the use of informal language in a scholarly article is really inappropriate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of informal
Meanwhile, another study published in 2021 revealed that nearly 27% of new mother respondents reported experiencing informal coercion by their doctor through tactics like manipulation or intimidation.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 Jan. 2025
Advertisement World & Nation South Africa tried to pressure informal gold miners by cutting off food.
—Mogomotsi Magome and Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
The two institutions participated in the California University and College Ballot Bowl, an informal competition where campuses employ initiatives designed to encourage civic engagement and voter registration.
—Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
People’s participation in both formal and informal service remains low.
—Alice Park, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for informal 
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 Jan. 2025
Advertisement World & Nation South Africa tried to pressure informal gold miners by cutting off food.
—Mogomotsi Magome and Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
The two institutions participated in the California University and College Ballot Bowl, an informal competition where campuses employ initiatives designed to encourage civic engagement and voter registration.
—Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
People’s participation in both formal and informal service remains low.
—Alice Park, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
Adjective
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To further enhance its defenses, potential Russian targets have adopted several unconventional air-defense techniques, including the installation of large nets around critical infrastructure to ensnare incoming drones.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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Jack De Mave, who portrayed a U.S. forest ranger on Lassie and an unconventional date for Valerie Harper’s Rhoda Morgenstern on the second episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, has died.—
Mike Barnes,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Find casual waffle knit pieces, sleek black sets, and more below—all $50 and below.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Jan. 2025
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Not as a character so much as a reference point in casual dialogue.—
Glynnis MacNicol,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What is a Green Beret? Green Beret is the colloquial name used for members of the U.S. Army Special Forces.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
2 Jan. 2025
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Purple group — colloquial suffixes (CORE, GATE, MANIA, PILLED) No perfect game, but that's nine wins in a row.—
Kris Holt,
Forbes,
5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Tennis is a difficult business; only a tiny sample size of its athletes achieve enough to become part of the vernacular.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
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Glass-block walls nod to the Big Apple vernacular while a mural by Shantell Martin invokes the local legacy of street art.—
Sam Cochran,
Architectural Digest,
19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near informal
Cite this Entry
“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/informal. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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