1
as in courtesies
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
bowing to your guest is a formality you don't need to perform for me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rituals
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
churchgoers loved the formalities of a traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formalities
There was always confidence that Everton had enough time to complete the deadline-day, loan-with-option deal, but the club required a deal sheet to iron out the formalities.
—
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The leadership of both chambers will give speeches, and the formalities of opening day will march along in their usual pomp and circumstance.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Graume added that federal approval of changes to Minnesota Medicaid are typically mere formalities.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
For events with formalities, like speeches, cake-cutting, or a holiday toast, Hayes advises staying until those key moments are complete.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
To survive, and possibly flourish in coming seasons, the Gators’ formalities, procession and all, must remain brief.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
There are formalities in Hollywood.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Eschewing the formalities of a spa, and adding to the intimate feel of the hotel, wellness at NoMad London is instead offered by renowned therapist in residence, Katie England, who sees guests for personalised treatments in one of the hotel’s first floor rooms.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Ending unauthorized immigration requires a leader unworried about legal formalities.
—Russell Muirhead, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The leadership of both chambers will give speeches, and the formalities of opening day will march along in their usual pomp and circumstance.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Graume added that federal approval of changes to Minnesota Medicaid are typically mere formalities.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
For events with formalities, like speeches, cake-cutting, or a holiday toast, Hayes advises staying until those key moments are complete.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
To survive, and possibly flourish in coming seasons, the Gators’ formalities, procession and all, must remain brief.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
There are formalities in Hollywood.
—Jay Glennie, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Eschewing the formalities of a spa, and adding to the intimate feel of the hotel, wellness at NoMad London is instead offered by renowned therapist in residence, Katie England, who sees guests for personalised treatments in one of the hotel’s first floor rooms.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Ending unauthorized immigration requires a leader unworried about legal formalities.
—Russell Muirhead, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formalities
Noun
-
With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.—
Simon Akam,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
-
Leonora measures out her days in courtesies and slights, the former dominating the beginning of the book, the latter rapidly gaining ground.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Our Turkishness was manifest in small and decontextualized rituals that could hardly pass as some ‘authentic’ experience.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Many of the treatments tap into Ayurvedic traditions, with an extensive menu of options including body work, energy treatment, facials, and other beauty rituals.—
Paul Brady,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Under the hood, Sprout uses a highly articulated body with 29 degrees of freedom to support smooth movement and expressive gestures.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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That puts much more pressure to perform on Valentine's Day, whether through big gestures or gifts.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The theme for the opening ceremonies was armonia, or harmony, and many credit Kirsty Coventry, the International Olympic Committee president who is presiding over her first Games, with helping create the change in tone.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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As for how to combine this shoe with a guest look fit for upcoming ceremonies, there are two easy ways.—
Tatiana Ojea,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Three Palestinians were laid to rest in traditional Islamic funeral rites.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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By the power vested in him, Pritz conducted the rites inside the Egyptian.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Much like the Christian and Catholic observances of the Lent season leading up to Easter, Ramadan’s date on the Gregorian calendar changes each year, since it’s based on the lunar calendar.—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
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As in recent years, Russia representatives were not invited to the observances at Auschwitz due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formalities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formalities. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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