as in to consecrate
formal
to mark (something) officially or formally especially with a religious ceremony
The priest solemnized their marriage.
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Recent Examples of solemnize
Lee signs bill allowing officiants to decline to perform marriages
Lee quietly signed into law a bill allowing officiants to decline to solemnize marriages for any reason, which has been criticized by the LGBTQ community as antagonistic.
—
Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
In one temple, an officiant claimed that his facility had solemnized 1,500 mixed marriages over the last five years.
—Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2013
The vows were solemnized by Hunter S. Thompson who was an ordained minister.
—Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023
Once received, the license must be solemnized with a ceremony conducted by someone recognized as having the legal power do so.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2020
According to custom in these conservative Hindu communities, while weddings are often solemnized at very young ages, a bride typically is sent to live with her husband’s family and consummate the union in her teens.
—Author: Shashank Bengali, Anchorage Daily News, 24 June 2018
Paper can also help us with solemnizing our transactions — making them official.
—David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2018
There is no marker to solemnize the death of the Spurs' unmatched dynasty: RIP 1997-2017.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2018
Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
In one temple, an officiant claimed that his facility had solemnized 1,500 mixed marriages over the last five years.
—Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2013
The vows were solemnized by Hunter S. Thompson who was an ordained minister.
—Rory Feehan, SPIN, 9 Nov. 2023
Once received, the license must be solemnized with a ceremony conducted by someone recognized as having the legal power do so.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2020
According to custom in these conservative Hindu communities, while weddings are often solemnized at very young ages, a bride typically is sent to live with her husband’s family and consummate the union in her teens.
—Author: Shashank Bengali, Anchorage Daily News, 24 June 2018
Paper can also help us with solemnizing our transactions — making them official.
—David Scharfenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Apr. 2018
There is no marker to solemnize the death of the Spurs' unmatched dynasty: RIP 1997-2017.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnize
Verb
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The creators of this medieval masterpiece have been lost to time, but it’s believed to have been commissioned by Odo, bishop of Bayeux and William’s half-brother, to decorate the nave of the new cathedral of Notre-Dame of Bayeux, which was consecrated in 1077.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
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The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.—
Kary Love,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Dozens of firefighters and police officers from across York County honored Duarte Saturday night.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Former Saturday Night Live cast member Aidy Bryant hosted the ceremony for the second year in a row out of Santa Monica, Calif., honoring some of the best of 2024 in film and television.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Set collective benchmarks, whether improving efficiency or patient outcomes, and celebrate those achievements together.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr.,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The Grammy winner celebrated her milestone 30th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 15 by unveiling her new tequila brand, Chicas Divertidas, which comes in two distinct flavors.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Drake has continued to bless fans experiencing financial hardship during his Anita Max Wynn Tour through Australia.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Last May, during a celebration of the Camargo’s discovery, a young priest from the quilombo went to sea to bless the excavation.—
Julian Lucas,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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God is so intimately present to his friends, the saints, that their very bodies are sanctified by his presence.—
Therese Cory,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Then, having contributed to the destruction of their careers and livelihoods, he, along with a fellow House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) informant, the screenwriter Budd Schulberg, made On the Waterfront, a film that not only defends but sanctifies informants.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
23 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Earlier on Tuesday, Dončić debuted a new ad with Jumpman to commemorate his new team.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The Bronx native grew up rooting for the Yankees and was even able to throw out the first pitch at a game at Yankee Stadium in 2018 to commemorate his company’s 50th anniversary.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
WWD,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Shoppers praised the cabinet’s luxe finishes and durable design.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2025
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For all of the conversation late last year analyzing how quickly Sporting KC might be able to shuffle the chairs — or even Vermes praising the way his team played Wednesday — a swap at striker, a swap in the mentality at striker, transcends everything else.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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