as in to consecrate
formal
to mark (something) officially or formally especially with a religious ceremony
The priest solemnized their marriage.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of solemnize
Lee signs bill allowing officiants to decline to perform marriages
Lee quietly signed into law a bill allowing officiants to decline to solemnize marriages for any reason, which has been criticized by the LGBTQ community as antagonistic.
—
Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
In one temple, an officiant claimed that his facility had solemnized 1,500 mixed marriages over the last five years.
—Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2013
The vows were solemnized by Hunter S. Thompson who was an ordained minister.
—Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023
Once received, the license must be solemnized with a ceremony conducted by someone recognized as having the legal power do so.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2020
According to custom in these conservative Hindu communities, while weddings are often solemnized at very young ages, a bride typically is sent to live with her husband’s family and consummate the union in her teens.
—Author: Shashank Bengali, Anchorage Daily News, 24 June 2018
Paper can also help us with solemnizing our transactions — making them official.
—David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2018
There is no marker to solemnize the death of the Spurs' unmatched dynasty: RIP 1997-2017.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2018
Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
In one temple, an officiant claimed that his facility had solemnized 1,500 mixed marriages over the last five years.
—Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2013
The vows were solemnized by Hunter S. Thompson who was an ordained minister.
—Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023
Once received, the license must be solemnized with a ceremony conducted by someone recognized as having the legal power do so.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2020
According to custom in these conservative Hindu communities, while weddings are often solemnized at very young ages, a bride typically is sent to live with her husband’s family and consummate the union in her teens.
—Author: Shashank Bengali, Anchorage Daily News, 24 June 2018
Paper can also help us with solemnizing our transactions — making them official.
—David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2018
There is no marker to solemnize the death of the Spurs' unmatched dynasty: RIP 1997-2017.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnize
Verb
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Griswold—whose father, once the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, consecrated the denomination’s first openly gay bishop—treats the pastors generously, though gingerly, constructing from their lowest moments an affecting study of sacred life in sacrilegious times.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Aug. 2024
-
Other attendees took photos of the reconstructed interior, which also included a new bronze altar that had been consecrated with holy water, chrism oil, incense and prayer by the archbishop during the service.—
Sydney Borchers,
Fox News,
9 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
While McDonald's has previously collaborated with celebrities and athletes like , BTS, and Travis Scott, this marks a shift toward honoring women's sports and athletes like Reese.—
Nathan Kamal,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Storied journalist Peter Maer will be honored with a prestigious award next month in a ceremony that will feature a fireside chat centered around antisemitism.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Days before the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, Philadelphia’s mayor sought to dissuade celebrating fans from climbing light poles or onto other equipment.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
7 Feb. 2025
-
This can involve recognizing and celebrating individual and team achievements, encouraging open and honest feedback, and providing opportunities for team members to build personal connections.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The occasion marked the halfway point between the winter and spring equinoxes, with clergymen blessing used candles and handing them out to locals every February 2. If the weather was bright and clear during the celebration, people believed the remainder of the season would be long and difficult.—
Rachel Dobkin,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
-
After more than a decade in the spotlight, Meghan Trainor is blessed, booked and busy.—
Jeff Nelson,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
God is so intimately present to his friends, the saints, that their very bodies are sanctified by his presence.—
Therese Cory,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Then, having contributed to the destruction of their careers and livelihoods, he, along with a fellow House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) informant, the screenwriter Budd Schulberg, made On the Waterfront, a film that not only defends but sanctifies informants.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
23 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Another statue commemorates Rosa Parks, who in 1955 refused to give up her seat and move to the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, spurring the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by King and others.—
Bruce Finley,
The Denver Post,
3 Feb. 2025
-
The day commemorates the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln signing the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on Feb. 1, 1865, according to the California African American Museum.—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In an internal memo obtained by ABC News, Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger praised officers in the wake of the pardons.—
Jay O'Brien,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2025
-
His versatility, work ethic and team-first attitude impressed former coach Tata Martino and Mascherano has praised him, as well.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near solemnize
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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