ceremonious

adjective

ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs How to pronounce ceremonious (audio)
Definition of ceremoniousnext
1
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details a century ago everyday life was much more ceremonious than in our anything-goes era

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules the ceremonious regalia of the Swiss Guards, the pope's traditional body guards

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ceremonious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of ceremonious are ceremonial, conventional, and formal. While all these words mean "marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms," ceremonious applies to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

How do ceremonial and ceremonious relate to one another?

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

Where would conventional be a reasonable alternative to ceremonious?

The words conventional and ceremonious can be used in similar contexts, but conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional courtesy
conventional fiction

When could formal be used to replace ceremonious?

Although the words formal and ceremonious have much in common, 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

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 ceremonious The extended ovation following Kershaw’s ceremonious exit in the top of the fifth preceded the uncontrollable catharsis of Shohei Ohtani’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot that pierced the Giants’ soul. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025 Today is the eleven year anniversary of the release of Destiny, perhaps not as ceremonious as last year’s tenth anniversary, one that did not end the series, but Bungie presses on. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 At some schools, the general manager is a ceremonious one, given to a program’s famous alumnus who can help gin up interest and money. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025 Worthy of the most ceremonious unwrapping video, a black cardboard carton contains an impressive wooden box with the DAP nestled inside. — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ceremonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceremonious
  1. formal
  2. ceremonial
  3. decorous
  4. nice
  5. solemn
  6. proper
Adjective
  • That year, after Israeli officials castigated Qatar for allegedly financing Hamas, the Qataris began demanding formal documentation of an arrangement the two governments had agreed was meant to provide relief to citizens of the beleaguered enclave.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • With some formal firefighter training and background checks, volunteers commit to following fire officials’ orders, helping residents evacuate and putting out spot fires, while leaving the ferocious front-line flames to the professionals.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • Near the end of the event in August, ceremonial shovels stuck into the earth shone in the sun behind Williams.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • One is infused with heirloom damask roses, while the other boasts ceremonial-grade matcha from Uji.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of ceremonial
Adjective
  • What was pell-mell and excited becomes thoughtful and decorous.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Don’t go looking for hushed tones, decorous silence or the other traditions of a sport whose roots exist on the hallowed lawns of polite society.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • The Playoff including home games for the highest seeded teams is a nice touch that many personalities seemed to agree was a positive.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The Verdict Sporting a more polished look than its contemporaries, Panasonic’s Japanese microwave is a nice gateway to nudge your kitchen toward more upscale design.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • The spirituality throughout is imbued with a solemn reverence more Catholic than Baptist.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • This should be the proper way to handle things, whenever these idiot artists decide to rant.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Among the errors cited in the August 6 report is a failure to allow proper curing (drying) time for the caulk applied to the expansion joints that separate the basin’s concrete slabs.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of proper

Browse Nearby Words

ceremonies
ceremonious
ceremoniousness
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Cite this Entry

“Ceremonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceremonious. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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