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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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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Bergoglio was consecrated into the priesthood as a Jesuit, a religious order explicitly averse to moving up within the ranks of the church hierarchy.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
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The creators of this medieval masterpiece have been lost to time, but it’s believed to have been commissioned by Odo, bishop of Bayeux and William’s half-brother, to decorate the nave of the new cathedral of Notre-Dame of Bayeux, which was consecrated in 1077.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Czapek & Cie Antarctique Tourbillon Czapek is honoring its 10th anniversary with the Antarctique Tourbillon powered by the watch brand’s in-house Caliber 9 with a flying tourbillon regulator.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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We’re really honored that the masses like our songs and concept.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One Step Back Game Informer celebrated their return by releasing their Game of the Year awards, celebrating the excellent gaming achievements of 2024, albeit a bit late.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The group's employees even pay out-of-pocket for coffee and sugar used in its coffee breaks, and have been doing so since 1973, according to a video celebrating its anniversary last year.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Vatican announced that before returning to the Vatican, Francis would appear on Sunday morning to bless faithful from his 10th floor suite at the hospital.—
Giada Zampano,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2025
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In another development, the Vatican announced that Francis would appear Sunday morning to bless faithful from his 10th floor suite at the hospital.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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After the film climaxes in a predictable shootout, the title character − a Mexican cartel leader who undergoes gender-affirming surgery and is reborn as an activist − is sanctified and immortalized.—
Pamela Avila,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
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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
Verb
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Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison took up Henry’s phrase in a speech at a gathering to commemorate John Brown, who led the violent antislavery raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859.—
Cassandra Good,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
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Sounds like a great way to commemorate a 50th anniversary.—
Charles Taylor,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Greene deflected and bashed the Biden administration while praising the Trump administration before circling back to the purpose of the news conference.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Participants frequently praise Finland’s egalitarian business culture and efficient decision-making processes.—
Jessica Mendoza,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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