1
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
a formal meeting of the board of directors a formal contract that was legally binding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in titular
being something in name or form only
was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ceremonious
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
gave her a formal invitation to dinner
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dress
relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners
the dress code is formal for tonight's event a shop that rents out formal wear
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in eloquent
very dignified in form, tone, or style
the formal language of the coronation ceremony
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formal
Jackson Thompson Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
In 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, Quakers made a formal stance against slavery, prohibiting followers of the faith from engaging in the institution.
—
Tesfaye Negussie,
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Amber Rambharose,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Guests are asked to adhere to a 'fashion formal' dress code, which encourages creative and bold attire.
—
Jc Reindl,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formal
Adjective
The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has a formal policy allowing students to participate on athletic teams consistent with their gender identity.
—
Jackson Thompson Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
In 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, Quakers made a formal stance against slavery, prohibiting followers of the faith from engaging in the institution.
—
Tesfaye Negussie,
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Noun
Semi-formal is light on the formal but does call for immaculate vibes.
—
Amber Rambharose,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Guests are asked to adhere to a 'fashion formal' dress code, which encourages creative and bold attire.
—
Jc Reindl,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formal
Adjective
-
That joy was bursting at the seams; the kids couldn't wait for the ceremonial ribbons to be cut.
-
The Nasdaq bell is rung by pressing a ceremonial electronic button at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, and often serves as a branding event for corporations, with executives invited to press the button.
Adjective
-
Created by Laura Kittrell, Elle stars Lexi Minetree as the titular future Harvard law student Elle Woods, following her struggle to fit in as a high school student in Seattle.
-
The weight of the titular role has not gone unnoticed to Minetree either.
Adjective
-
It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
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The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.
Adjective
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Even a 73-year-old shopper was impressed by its stylish, comfortable fit.
-
The culotte-style stretchy shorts are equal parts comfortable and stylish, and the high-neck top can be worn either tucked-in or down and loose.
Adjective
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Just as hedgehogs deplore foxes for a lack of theoretical ambition, foxes spend their time screaming at hedgehogs for missing this or that eloquent detail.
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His head is freshly shaved and that same cheeky, yet surprisingly eloquent Egg-ness immediately comes through over our half-hour interview.
Noun
-
Dunkin’ Prom, which funds alternative proms for teens who may have missed theirs for medical reasons and lastly, grants to customize hospital spaces to create joy.
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Travis opted for a pinstripe suit for his big night out at prom in 2008.
Adjective
-
But cruise missiles are more versatile in conventional warfare.
-
The majority of Georgian wine reaching export markets is made in what producers call the European style — stainless steel fermentation, conventional winemaking, easily approachable.
Adjective
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Los Angeles stretches its NL West lead to 11 games and maintains MLB’s best record as Ohtani’s star power turns Sacramento’s nominal home crowd into a roaring Dodgers road show.
-
The model produces outputs within nominal parameters, but those outputs reflect market conditions that are seconds or minutes stale.
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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