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
The funeral took place in the Cambridge church where her wedding had been solemnized sixteen months earlier.
—
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
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
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
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
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnize
Verb
-
Many Pentecostals, for example, fast for a period in January to consecrate the year ahead.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Even if all these sunny promises are enshrined in contracts, built into budgets, and consecrated with good intentions, there are still plenty of ways the whole project could go kerflooey.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
June 21 – July 22 Stability today comes from honoring both your needs and your responsibilities.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The actor was honored with the Palm Springs International Film Festival Rising Star Award for his turn in that pic.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Painted over by the joy that came when her teammates rushed the court to celebrate her conquest.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The birthday girl's carousel also included multiple photos of her celebrating with friends, as well as further pictures featuring her album artwork, and one last shot of her boyfriend Myke Wright kissing her on the cheek.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Medical science has blessed our generation with an abundance of preventive methods — including vaccines — and treatments that enable a far greater percentage of us to live longer and healthier lives than our forebears.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Byrne's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 at Holy Name Cathedral, blessed by Cardinal Blase Cupich.—
Suzanne Le Mignot,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When a couple marry in a church, synagogue or mosque, the ceremony does more than sanctify a union.—
Peter McGraw,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Like much of the first half of the episode, before the plane crash, this gala sequence is shot in silky gold colors, as if John and Carolyn had already been sanctified.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The American Federation of Labor chose the date to commemorate the general strike for an eight-hour work day that began on May 1, 1886.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the site of the national memorial in New York commemorating the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Beal praised the work ethic of both Nixon and Montgomery.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The actor also praised William Shatner for having previously taken to social media to share his blessing for Wesley portraying the same character that Shatner originated in the initial series.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Solemnize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnize. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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