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

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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 The overnight journey evokes a wide range of emotions in Sardinia’s pilgrims — joy, hope, solemnity and catharsis. — New York Times, 19 May 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 There were plenty of moments of silliness to go along with the solemnity in Tuesday’s show. — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Apr. 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 See All Example Sentences for solemnity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solemnity

Noun

Based on Pioneer 10's success, NASA mission managers decided to slingshot Pioneer 11 around Jupiter in a gravity assist to send it even deeper into space for a Saturn flyby.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The canal system that carries it from western Arizona is a gravity-defying product of 1960s optimism and more than $4 billion in building costs.

— Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of gravity

Noun

This goes beyond just topical products to include massage tools, wellness rituals and detoxifying treatments.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Shankara advises that worshipping gods with names and stories through devotional rituals and sacred images (murtis) is an acceptable step for some people on the path toward a more philosophical understanding of an all-pervasive ultimate reality.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ritual

Noun

Adults is almost always at its best when there’s a method to the madness, a kernel of earnestness at the heart of it all.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
That the earnestness the genre requires galls us cynics, who love to hide in our books, away from all those pesky bodies in the first place?

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of earnestness

Noun

Seeing all the fiancé’s extended family in our city for the civil ceremony and reception and friends at the reception put a very poignant sting in our hearts for the four local family members who weren’t included.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
As the brief ceremony ends, Alice gives Nora the USB drive from Jay Easton’s laptop and informs her that there’s a video of her on it.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ceremony

Noun

These statements show a total disregard for confidentiality, basic investigative standards and the seriousness of ethics violations.

— Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Adults’s Gen-Z characters tend to see their comforts as transient, their identities as mutable, and seriousness as an annoying obligation, all of which the second season pokes at a bit.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of seriousness

Noun

The school and church asked for privacy on Remembrance Day; observances on campus will not open to the public.

— Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 27 Aug. 2026
Another prominent change to the global observance of dates came in 1867 when Alaska was purchased as a US territory.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of observance

Browse Nearby Words

solemnities

solemnity

solemnize

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Style

“Solemnity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solemnity. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of solemnity

noun

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