1
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
a formal meeting of the board of directors a formal contract that was legally binding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in titular
being something in name or form only
was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ceremonious
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
gave her a formal invitation to dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dress
relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners
the dress code is formal for tonight's event a shop that rents out formal wear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in eloquent
very dignified in form, tone, or style
the formal language of the coronation ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dance
a social gathering for dancing
he asked her to the formal at the end of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formal
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 July 2025
That would likely leave a 10% base tariff, as well as the auto, steel and aluminum tariffs in place until details of a formal trade agreement are ironed out.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025
Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for formal
Adjective
In addition to the cupola lounge, the suite includes a living room, two dressing areas, a bar, a formal dining room for 12 guests, and both an open chef’s kitchen, for interacting with guests, and a professional prep kitchen.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 July 2025
That would likely leave a 10% base tariff, as well as the auto, steel and aluminum tariffs in place until details of a formal trade agreement are ironed out.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025
Noun
Hell's Kitchen; Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's exploration of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos' rise and fall in the Philippines; and the adaptation of the 2015 documentary How to Dance in Ohio, about a group of teenagers with autism preparing for a spring formal.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for formal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formal
Adjective
-
Secretary of State Henry Kissinger sat just behind home plate alongside baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, and he was tasked with throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
-
The first 20,000 fans will receive a Barry Bonds bobblehead, and Bonds will throw out the ceremonial first pitch in addition to other pregame festivities honoring the all-time home run king.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Along with the news, the streamer shared the first photo of lead actor Dominic McLaughlin in costume as the titular character.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
14 July 2025
-
Lintz of course co-starred opposite Titus Welliver on Prime Video’s Bosch and then its spinoff Bosch: Legacy, playing the titular LAPD detective turned P.I.’s daughter, Maddie, who over the course of 10 total seasons went from tragedy- and crisis-prone teen to a patrolman for the LAPD.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Passover is a ceremonious occasion to rejoice in Judaism, especially during the first family meal or Seder, according to britannica.com.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
Once RiRi and the baby made a ceremonious second entrance to the show, the ‘defile’ finally began at 10:35.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Also: surely there are more eloquent ways to inform the reader that your story is set in May, 1846.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 July 2025
-
Pairing the dress with Alexis Bittar jewelry led to an eloquent ensemble.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
The two stars looked alike, even dressing in head-to-toe black as James showed off his dance moves.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
All the artists involved in the song seeded it out to the dance community ahead of release, with Helix’s global promo teams working it with partners at DSPs, radio, and beyond.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
That danger is all the greater because Iran’s conventional deterrents against Israel failed.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
-
Twice per day, on the way up and back down, Kosmos 2589 briefly passes near a large number of US government and commercial satellites in more conventional geosynchronous orbits but then quickly departs the vicinity.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Here’s why: Although technical specifications are still being worked out, the new standard could deliver nominal peak data rates of more than 40Gbps.—
Sarah Lord,
PC Magazine,
1 July 2025
-
In practice, that has resulted in the actual levies on imports often being lower than the nominal rate initially announced by the White House.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
His uncle wanted to show him the ropes, but there were obstacles: equipment cost, building things to code, researching the proper setup.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
That means mow your grass at the proper height for your species and fertilize and irrigate correctly.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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