How to Use formality in a Sentence

formality

noun
Definition of formalitynext
Synonyms for formalitynext
  • They haven't approved the loan yet, but that's just a mere formality.
  • Her use of old-fashioned language lends an air of formality to her writing.
  • He failed to appreciate the formality of the occasion.
  • By the ninth, the lead had ballooned to 21-12 and the last three outs seemed a formality.
    — Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 29 May 2022
  • By that point, the outcome of the game was a formality.
    — James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Mar. 2022
  • The vote is something of a formality given that the deal is on hold while the court case plays out.
    — Marcy Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022
  • The top ski rentals from Aspen to the French Alps now shun formality.
    — Tom Weijand, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2024
  • The requests lent an air of formality to a process condemned by the West.
    — Eric Nagourney, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2022
  • The pumpkins create the homey, fall look, but a sleek glass dome adds a touch of class and formality.
    — Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
  • And there was a sort of formality about being the captain.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
  • But there was no way a night like this could end with mere formalities.
    — David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2024
  • At the start of the night, Game 5 of this opening-round playoff series against the Hawks seemed like a formality.
    — Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2023
  • By the final buzzer, those two things seemed like a mere formality.
    — al, 25 Nov. 2022
  • Chen basked in the spotlight in the middle of the ice, then headed off to hear his scores, which by that point were a mere formality.
    — Dave Skretta, chicagotribune.com, 10 Feb. 2022
  • Of course, that was mostly a formality after the season that the Suns have had.
    — Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Apr. 2021
  • In past years, that process has often been viewed as a formality.
    — Liz Navratil, Star Tribune, 21 July 2021
  • McKinley has been on the job for several months, so the move was a mere formality.
    — cleveland, 11 Nov. 2021
  • The handsome men still put plates in front of both of us, the formality, but Leigh Anne would listen to the description, nod, and then push it to me.
    — Kevin Wilson, Bon Appétit, 9 Feb. 2022
  • The more likely scenario is that this is just a formality.
    — Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Apr. 2023
  • By then, a new career best seemed to be mere formality.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Mar. 2022
  • To be finalized, the deal must now be signed by the judge overseeing the case, though that step is formality.
    — Bill Donahue, Billboard, 2 May 2024
  • The challenges never feel ramped up, and the queens largely treat them as formalities.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024
  • Once this is approved by team owners, which is said to be a formality at this point, the lockout will be over on day 99.
    — The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2022
  • The midi-length works for any level of formality, just dress it up or down with the right shoes and accessories.
    — Raena Loper, Good Housekeeping, 25 May 2022
  • Plus, the formality of their lives means that catching them off duty—Kate in her Wellies and jeans—is enthralling.
    — Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2022
  • The rest of the second half was more a formality than a competitive game.
    — The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 Mar. 2021
  • The whole thing seems like a formality; but Katagas instructs the assessors to meet with the physicist that day.
    — Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2024
  • After the vows and formalities, the couple exchanged Neil Lane rings.
    — Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 5 Jan. 2024
  • This gave the look of the individual works, as well as the aesthetic of the whole exhibition, a higher degree of formality.
    — Pamela J. Joyner, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2024
  • The resort is custom-made for unplugging and unwinding, and the dining options are tailored for those who wish to relish the experience without the constraints of formality.
    — Nasha Smith, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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