1
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
a century ago everyday life was much more ceremonious than in our anything-goes era
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
the ceremonious regalia of the Swiss Guards, the pope's traditional body guards
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ceremonious
Roberts began the process while Melania was still finalizing her position, which may have disrupted the ceremonious act.
—
Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
The ceremonious confection has, after all, been a tradition for millennia: its roots trace back to ancient Rome, where grooms would break a barley cake over their bride’s head to officialize their union.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 27 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
The ceremonious confection has, after all, been a tradition for millennia: its roots trace back to ancient Rome, where grooms would break a barley cake over their bride’s head to officialize their union.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 27 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonious
Adjective
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The public health alert, while not a formal recall, is intended to inform consumers about potential health risks associated with some products, according to the USDA.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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This easygoing aesthetic introduces itself in the living room, which doubles as the home’s entry since there’s no formal foyer.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The crowd jammed into the old mill are joined by West African ceremonial dancers and drummers, popping and locking hip-hop movers from the future, a deejay working turntables and a Rick James-style guitarist bedecked in sequins.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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Nanette kills the virtual Robert Daly with his own ceremonial knife through his skull.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a place downtown called Soul Classics that’s really nice, like street-wear stuff.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Not easy to do, but nice to come through tonight.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In a solemn message, Dominican President Luis Abinader addressed the nation’s grief.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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In Ireland, however, St. Patrick’s Day remained a solemn day of observance with little revelry.—
Bryan McGovern,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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By advocating for proper funding, schools will be able to take innovative approaches to increasing literacy rates, as well as seeing gains in math.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
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Just cut the tubing to the proper length and wrap it around the cables.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonious. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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