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as in ritual
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

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 formality The speaker election is often a formality, with one simple round of voting, but in 2023, a pair of prolonged elections, in January and October, lengthened the usually quick process. Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024 From there, the final quarter was a formality as the Bills defeated the Broncos, 31-7. Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025 The roughly 30-minute event to confirm Trump’s return to power unfolded as a tidy, solemn ceremony, once again resembling its traditional role as an uncontroversial formality in the presidential transition process. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025 The midi length of this piece adds a bit of formality to what is typically seen as a more relaxed style. Rachel Sylvester, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for formality 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formality
Noun
  • The who and how of recognition matter just as much as the gesture itself.
    Leeatt Rothschild, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Joe Biden's ceasefire plan also includes hazy gestures towards a future government for Gaza not including Hamas.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Belize is home to hundreds of caverns where Mayan priests once held rituals to petition the gods for rain or a successful harvest.
    Gina DeCaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025
  • According to the report, Kelly shared an initial email with Williams in August 2019 from a 17-year-old lifeguard’s parents detailing drug use, misogynistic harassment and hazing rituals among Oak Street Beach lifeguards.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Digital fingerprinting returns next month, courtesy of Google’s recent policy change, and tracking cookies remain a threat.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Screenshot courtesy of Brenda Stolyar via Apple Intelligence Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.
    Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Presidents leave the Capitol after the swearing-in ceremony and travel to the White House for a luncheon.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Inaugural ceremonies will begin at 11:30am ET, and the swearing-in ceremony will begin at noon, with Vice President-elect Vance going first and Trump to follow.
    Kelly Tyko, Axios, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In Chicago, a second roll-call vote will take place, this one ceremonial.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024
  • As her funeral is shown on The Crown season 6, here’s everything to know about the royal ceremonial.
    Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Noun
  • Coretta Scott King, the wife of Dr. King, had a great idea in the year prior to the first observance of the federal holiday.
    William Lambers, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Closings Here are a list of closings in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day: State government offices will be closed.
    John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near formality

Cite this Entry

“Formality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formality. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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