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
The extended ovation following Kershaw’s ceremonious exit in the top of the fifth preceded the uncontrollable catharsis of Shohei Ohtani’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot that pierced the Giants’ soul.
—
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Today is the eleven year anniversary of the release of Destiny, perhaps not as ceremonious as last year’s tenth anniversary, one that did not end the series, but Bungie presses on.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
At some schools, the general manager is a ceremonious one, given to a program’s famous alumnus who can help gin up interest and money.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Prior to kickoff in the game that marked the debut of the baby blue Riptide jersey, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas officially welcomed De Paul with the same type of ceremonious presentation that was given in years past to the star foursome of Messi, Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets.
—Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Today is the eleven year anniversary of the release of Destiny, perhaps not as ceremonious as last year’s tenth anniversary, one that did not end the series, but Bungie presses on.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
At some schools, the general manager is a ceremonious one, given to a program’s famous alumnus who can help gin up interest and money.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Prior to kickoff in the game that marked the debut of the baby blue Riptide jersey, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas officially welcomed De Paul with the same type of ceremonious presentation that was given in years past to the star foursome of Messi, Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets.
—Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonious
Adjective
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Upstairs at Place, things are a little more formal.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Motsepe’s name as a future ANC leader often appears in fragments — in business conversations, in official corridors, in the soft intelligence that travels ahead of formal politics.—
Sam Mkokeli,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jack Hughes and Aerin Frankel, who helped lead the Team USA men’s and women’s hockey teams to gold medals at the Winter Olympics, threw out the ceremonial first pitches at Friday’s game.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Ramesses rung the ceremonial bell to kick off the Sixers' game.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Its decorous leaves are not even an inch long.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
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Lee Martino’s choreography, like the production as a whole, is at its best when observing decorous constraints.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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My room had a large bathtub right by the window, a spacious walk-in shower, and Niven Morgan bath products (a nice touch, given that the brand is from Dallas).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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The company flew Tony to Cupertino and put him up in a nice hotel with a fruit basket waiting in the room.—
Bill Gurley,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This visual story captures solemn moments of faith, tradition and community as worshippers publicly observed one of Christianity’s most sacred Holy Week rituals.—
Al Diaz,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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The solemn liturgical service included the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of John.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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City leaders in Brookhaven are reminding residents that cutting down trees without proper approval could come with consequences, as officials double down on efforts to preserve the city's tree canopy.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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While there is no cure for the disease, shelters say proper cleaning protocols can help control its spread, and vaccination remains the most effective form of prevention.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonious. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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