solemnity

“At first, it was light, and there was a sense of solemnity and reverent awe. As the fire intensified, so did the rain,” Avraamiy said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

Now, we go on remembering vicariously, performing rituals of solemnity and sorrow to honour those who died, but the meaning of those rituals have changed over the years.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2025

The early scenes have a certain ponderous solemnity as two hunter-warrior-predator brothers from the Yautja race fight for honor with weapons that combine the clank of all things medieval with modern pizzazz.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025

It’s clearly a passion project, and like many passion projects, it can go overboard at times, grow overstuffed, not to say oversolemn — though solemnity, to be sure, is appropriate to the history.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2025

At seven o’clock, the four members ascended to the clubroom, tied their badges round their heads, and took their seats with great solemnity.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

To read this novel is to wade through a great many solemnities on the order of:

From New York Times ● Nov. 14, 2017

In Ancient Athens, every year the opening solemnities of the Festival of Dionysus would include a parade during which the tribute won from foreign military adventures was proudly displayed.

From New York Times ● May 26, 2017

But the solemnities of the writing are balanced by some excellent performances and superior production values.

From New York Times ● Mar. 1, 2010

These opening solemnities give all the convincing qualities of a three-dollar bill to what actually is an account of one of the great tragedies of modern Europe.

From Time Magazine Archive

He had acted silly even at his own wedding, grinning during the solemnities, clowning when cutting the cake.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig