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
Examples 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 formal
Alice Park, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Once inside, the main level is introduced by a lengthy hallway that flows to a formal dining room topped by a crystal chandelier that’s as big as the table resting beneath it.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2024
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
But there is no formal national reporting system for walking pneumonia, so the CDC can only estimate, based on testing data from emergency rooms, that about two million cases occur in the U.S. each year.
—Alice Park, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Once inside, the main level is introduced by a lengthy hallway that flows to a formal dining room topped by a crystal chandelier that’s as big as the table resting beneath it.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2024
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
-
Meanwhile, Princess Anne chose a photo of her and her husband Vice-Adm. Tim Laurence waving from a carriage during a ceremonial procession in June.Issy Ronald, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
-
Souvenir shops would also sell trinkets and ceremonial goods commemorating Russian-Syrian military cooperation.Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The titular novel focuses on a group of male lumberjacks who decide to throw a dance party in which some of the workers volunteer to attend as women, leading to an unlikely rivalry.Shannon Carlin, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
-
Other additions include Gregory Nava’s Mi Familia and Lou Adler’s American Me, both of which starred Edward James Olmos, and Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan, which starred Ricardo Montalbán as the titular villain.Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact.Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
-
The ceremonious confection has, after all, been a tradition for millennia: its roots trace back to ancient Rome, where grooms would break a barley cake over their bride’s head to officialize their union.Elise Taylor, Vogue, 27 July 2024
Adjective
-
Two months later in Disney Hall, Esa-Pekka Salonen conducted the Colburn Orchestra in a fiery yet eloquent performance of Sibelius’ Second Symphony, which was written at the beginning of the 20th century, when Finland was seeking cultural independence from Russia.Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
-
On the other hand, this was a season- and career-defining game for those involved, as evidenced by Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s extremely emotional and eloquent postgame interview.Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
In the late 20th century, Jackson was at the peak of his career and had gained the undisputed title of King of Pop, representing his dominance in music, dance and holistic credibility as a well-rounded performer.Sughnen Yongo, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Advertisement The attack at a small dance and yoga studio on the first day of summer vacation sparked rioting across England and Northern Ireland fueled by far-right activists that lasted a week.Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Proton therapy is a more precise type of radiation with fewer side effects than conventional radiation therapy.Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
-
Experts suggested that Chechen fighters were originally used as a cleansing force or military police, somewhat removed from the front lines, before becoming more widely used as a conventional fighting force.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The price tag for electronic travel authorizations might be nominal, but the inconvenience of being turned away at the airport—or forced to reschedule an entire trip—could be significant.Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
-
And while digital prints are a nominal cost, bringing back a title in 70mm or 35mm means sourcing prints and projectors and sometimes hiring projectionists, putting even greater pressure on marketing to deliver awareness.Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
With proper care, each patch can be used up to 10 times.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2024
-
Not long after Friday Night Lights dropped, the rapper finally moved from mixtapes to proper albums, and he’s been a chart-topper ever since.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near formal
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formal. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share