mummery

Definition of mummerynext

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mummery But what was once the norm can now seem a kind of ableist mummery, which this production attempts to sidestep by offering a Richard with no physical impairments at all. New York Times, 11 July 2022 Last week, as Russia prepared to invade Ukraine and Gergiev prepared to lead the Vienna Philharmonic in three concerts at Carnegie Hall, the usual mummery was unfolding. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2022 One of the oldest traditions in the United States is begging or the giving tips at the holiday, brought by English settlers and part of the Christmas celebrations associated with mummery and the Lord of Misrule, according to Turino. Steven Goode, courant.com, 17 Dec. 2020 Keziah Wallis of Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand says that the rift first appeared in the 19th century, when a new understanding of Buddhism as a rational philosophy free of the mummery of religion began to take hold. The Economist, 14 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mummery
Noun
  • The parade was followed by an inaugural ball at Arizona's pristine four-story Hotel Adams.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Nearby, Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage has hosted a parade of presidents — from Eisenhower perfecting his golf swing to Obama meeting with world leaders.
    James Ward, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Xfinity Super Bowl ad, airing this Sunday during the NFL extravaganza, sees Neill back as Alan, Dern back as paleobotanist Ellie Sattler, and Goldblum back as chaos theory mathematician Ian Malcolm.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Part of it is the field design and pomp, with a treasure map surrounding the rink, a stick tap to the Gasparilla Pirate Festival that’s expected to bring a half-million people into the downtown area over the weekend.
    Joe Smith, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Khamenei was born into poverty and outwardly disdains pomp, cultivating an image of pious frugality.
    Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Miss Intercontinental 2025 pageant, which seeks the most beautiful woman from all continents, was supposed to take place last year but was postponed to January 2026 for logistical reasons.
    Sarah Moreno February 6, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Another beauty pageant, Miss Arizona USA, has not seen a winner from the 48th state but multiple runner-ups for the top honor.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • All the pomp and circumstance without the promise of a worthy spectacle.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The dancing was kinetic and unrelenting, the show studded with myriad Easter eggs reflecting his heritage, the spectacle one of the most bracing and heartfelt the NFL has hosted in recent history.
    Jason Lamphier, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • As the pageantry of Bad Bunny reminded, maybe the best way to approach a Super Bowl halftime is by blending the old-school with a lot of new.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
  • In the end, though, all that pageantry can only smooth over so much.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The characteristics of this aesthetic begin with simple colors that evoke understated elegance—not ostentation.
    Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2026
  • This gesture contrasts in the central avenue of Vassilissis Sofia, with the ostentation of the immediate official buildings, where the flags are flying full.
    Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Yet despite the fanfare, some leading Chinese AI developers have warned that China may have fallen further behind in developing frontier models.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The Phoenix Apartments in West Oakland were welcomed with great fanfare.
    John Ramos, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mummery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mummery. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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