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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

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formal

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word formal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of formal are ceremonial, ceremonious, and conventional. While all these words mean "marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms," formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report
the headmaster's formal manner

How do ceremonial and ceremonious relate to one another, in the sense of formal?

Ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies.

a ceremonial offering

When is ceremonious a more appropriate choice than formal?

While in some cases nearly identical to formal, ceremonious applies to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

When would conventional be a good substitute for formal?

In some situations, the words conventional and formal are roughly equivalent. However, conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional courtesy
conventional fiction

Examples 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 formal
Adjective
There was no formal campaign opposing the ballot measure, though during the 2023 legislative session, some Republican lawmakers voted against a ballot measure. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2024 The first task Trump faces will be the formal transition. Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024 The Delta Chi fraternity member, who attends the University of Missouri, had traveled to Tennessee with the group for their annual spring formal, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for formal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formal
Adjective
  • This process was further clarified by the 2022 amendments to the Electoral Count Act, which redefined the certification of electoral votes and affirmed the vice president’s role as purely ceremonial.
    Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Members of the party will have positions on the stage during the ceremonial weigh-in on the day prior to fight night.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Tony Todd, the actor who swapped a hand for a hook as the titular villain of the Candyman movies, died on November 6 at his home in Los Angeles.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery and Vicky Krieps (Old, Phantom Thread) play the titular Jack and Jill, two strangers connected through their troubled relationship to Elizabeth — the mother who abandoned Jack and was Jill’s domineering and lover.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
  • When the Eagle lifted off to join the Columbia, Aldrin reported seeing the rocket blast knock the flag over, an unceremonious end to a very ceremonious beginning.
    Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 19 July 2024
Adjective
  • This is Lorde at her sharpest, most eloquent, and certainly most tantalizing.
    Vogue, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024
  • One video image of a highway at night was more eloquent than anything in the lead-up to Johnny’s Greyhound getaway.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Here's why Voting closes shortly after the final competitive dance of each episode.
    Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
  • The new families, arriving in long columns of vans, coaches and trucks escorted by police cars, were greeted by red banners and traditional Tibetan dances, social media footage shows.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • While Trump has been a vocal supporter of conventional oil & gas companies, Harris has sided with renewable energy companies.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • None of the shows will be in locations that look like a conventional gallery space.
    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The sponsor's fee is set at an annual nominal rate of 0.40% of the euro in the Trust.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
  • And, on a more abstract level, a 4.2% 10-year yield isn’t out of line with a U.S. economy now operating at a 5.5% nominal GDP growth pace (based on current GDP tracking models and prevailing headline inflation rates).
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • This length was all added ahead of the windshield, giving the Vanquish the bold proportions of a proper dream car.
    Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Creators will have to complete a questionnaire for each project in advance so that Roblox can ensure proper categorization.
    Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near formal

Cite this Entry

“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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