as in to consecrate
formal
to mark (something) officially or formally especially with a religious ceremony
The priest solemnized their marriage.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 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
-
And so, next door to the photo booth where Nic and Cierra consecrated their mutual vibe, cowgirl style, Hannah climbs onto Pepe’s muscular thighs and gets a little cowgirl make-out of her own.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
-
For the Gulf states, a nuclear deal would align their strategy with Washington’s Middle East policy, which could then be consecrated in a formal strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.—
Vali Nasr,
Foreign Affairs,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
Heat shooting coach Rob Fodor recently was honored by Hillsdale College with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Professional Athletics.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 July 2025
-
This conversation honors the deeply personal and generational journey of embracing natural beauty.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
The pillar artwork features a waving Pope Leo XIV along with a picture from the TV broadcast of the future pope sitting with good Schmit and his grandson, Eddie. Members of the 2005 team are in Chicago this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the championship run.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
The wrestling world just celebrated the 27th anniversary of Goldberg’s first world title win over Hulk Hogan on the July 6, 1998 broadcast of Nitro.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Helping CMOs Aggregate, Organize and Monetize Knowledge In Marketing Actions, Conversations and Decisions Digital marketing has blessed modern marketers with a wealth of customer engagement data.—
Stephen Diorio,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
And who wouldn’t be proud, even thrilled, to live in a country where we are blessed to have such intentional, generous, and patriotic — and consequential!—
Jack Fowler,
National Review,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
If you were seated at her Met Gala, you weren’t just seen—you were sanctified.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The purpose of the prayers is for him and his aunt to recite the Kaddish, to sanctify God’s name in their time of grief.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
To commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the 1975 World Series, NESN put together a special retro broadcast for Tuesday’s game between the Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds designed to evoke the look and feel of that era.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
-
This article on the wilderness areas along the Buffalo National River is the eighth in a series commemorating the 40th anniversary of the signing of federal legislation to create nine new federal wilderness areas in Arkansas.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang should be praised for traveling to China this week in pursuit of expansion in what is a crucial market for all manner of blue-chip U.S. companies.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
In between all of that, Trump spoke to DAZN’s Emily Austin and praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino for putting the Club World Cup together in the U.S. one year before the World Cup takes place in North America.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share