SOLEMNITY Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

solemnity

noun

sə-ˈlem-nə-tē

Definition of solemnity

as in intentness

a mental state free of jesting or trifling the coronation ceremony requires absolute solemnity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ritual

an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules the solemnities of the Easter vigil service

Synonyms & Similar 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 solemnity As his own self-celebration has fizzled, a void has opened between the scheduled roster of events and the true purpose and meaning of the solemnity of July 4, 2026. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026 Good Friday and Holy Saturday will be observed in local Catholic churches with characteristic solemnity, dignity and beauty. — From Staff Reports, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2 Apr. 2026 Gore is best known for Make America Great Again, her 2016 naked portrait of Trump with the paunch and solemnity of the great men of art history, adding, crucially, the tiniest of compensatory micropenises. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026 For McQuoid, that appears to mean making a film devoid of color, shooting the incoherent fight sequences against murky backdrops, and treating the origin story of secondary protagonist Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) with the solemnity of a biblical reading. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for solemnity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnity

Noun

Her concept of gravity draws on both East and West, on karma and original sin.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
The probe was delayed from 2022, and headed for the asteroid Psyche, using a Mars-gravity assist and not arriving until August 2029.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Definition of gravity

Noun

That the ritual continues Saturday after Saturday, year after year, is its own kind of small miracle.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Supporters argue that the gatherings represent a form of devotion untethered from rigid rituals and the gatekeeping normally associated with temples or religious processions.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of ritual

Noun

As these events unfold, Early’s earnestness blurs comedy and drama, to surprisingly heartfelt effect.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Western, for his part, had by this time recovered something of his usual bluster, and began again upon the subject of Blifil, commending his estate and his family with great earnestness, as though these considerations alone ought to have settled the matter long since.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 2 June 2026

Definition of earnestness

Noun

He is slated to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan upon arrival, then participate in a bilateral meeting with him after an arrival ceremony, followed by a NATO leaders’ dinner.

— Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce reportedly presented 20-minute vows to each other during their wedding ceremony.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 July 2026

Definition of ceremony

Noun

Critical infrastructure must assume persistent aerial observation as a baseline condition of operations, and operators must rehearse drone incidents with the same seriousness as cyberattacks or active shooter scenarios.

— Bill Edwards, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Far from being disengaged from the city’s fiscal challenges, residents demonstrated a clear understanding of the seriousness of this issue to the future of Chicago.

— Karen Freeman-Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Definition of seriousness

Noun

Congress officially designated the last Monday in September to honor that observance.

— Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 June 2026
The June nonfarm payrolls report is due out Thursday instead of the usual Friday because the market is closed Friday in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 June 2026

Definition of observance

Browse Nearby Words

solemnities

solemnity

solemnize

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Solemnity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnity. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of solemnity

noun

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