solemnize
Perform with ceremony
To solemnize is to perform a ceremony with formal dignity, especially a marriage or religious rite: The priest solemnized their union.
More broadly, it means to mark an occasion with gravity and reverence: They gathered to solemnize the anniversary of the founding.
The word carries a sense of officiating—making something ceremonially valid or sacred.
Marriage rite and feast
- marriageFormal union between partners
- nuptialsVows and rings
- matrimonyLegal union of spouses
- officiatePerform formal duties
vows · union · blessing · chapel · altar · celebrant · clergy · bride
Formal worship structure
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- benedictionFormal spoken blessing
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
vestments · procession · officiant · sanctify · ordination · baptism · confirmation · incantation
Formally confirm agreement
- enactPass into law
- authorizeGrant formal permission
- validateConfirm as true
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
endorse · codify · certify · legitimize · notarize · execute · seal · attest
Serious and worrying
- earnestSincerely intense in purpose
- soberFree from intoxication
- somberGravely serious in mood
- reverentFeeling profound respect
dignified · staid · sedate · subdued · measured · weighty · serious · austere
Thing preserving remembrance
- anniversaryRecurring memorial date
- remembranceAct of holding something in mind
- tributeOffering of respect
- observanceKeeping of customs
honoring · eulogy · reverence · dedication · monument · veterans · wreath-laying · martyrs
wedding
Marriage rite and feast
officiate · vows · union · blessing · chapel · altar · celebrant · clergy · bride · groom
liturgy
Formal worship structure
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- benedictionFormal spoken blessing
sacrament · vestments · procession · officiant · sanctify · ordination · baptism · confirmation · incantation · chant
ratify
Formally confirm agreement
sanction · endorse · codify · certify · legitimize · notarize · execute · seal · attest · register
grave
Serious and worrying
reverent · dignified · staid · sedate · subdued · measured · weighty · serious · austere · composed
memorial
Thing preserving remembrance
- anniversaryRecurring memorial date
- remembranceAct of holding something in mind
- tributeOffering of respect
observance · honoring · eulogy · reverence · dedication · monument · veterans · wreath-laying · martyrs · centenary
solemnizetrivialize
Make light of
casualize · make light of · downplay · gloss over · informalize
solemnity, solemnized, solemnization, solemnizing, solemnizes, solemnise, solemnised