I don't believe we've been formally introduced.
Source: tatoeba (669574)
Formally
/ˈfɔː.mə.li/
Synonyms for "formally" (68 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (14)
Strong matches (20)
Adverb(4 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Noun(12 words)
meest officieelmore algorithmizedmore bureaucraticmore ceremonialmore corporatemore government-schoolmore mayoralmore officialmore prime ministerialmore proceduralmost administrativemost ceremonial
Determiner(3 words)
most administrative proceduremost digital messagingmost german traits
Related words (34)
Noun(9 words)
Adverb(19 words)
most presidential poisemost standard language formofficially endorsed initiativeofficiouslyperfunctorilyponderouslypreciselypresidentiallyprimlyproperlypropositionallyrespectablyrituallyscholasticallysolemnlystifflystiltedlystuffilytechnically
Verb(1 words)
Adjective(1 words)
official setting forth
Preposition(1 words)
written-language like
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: officially, academically, administratively, bulletined, by the book.
- Sentence evidence is available for formally, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "formally".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "formally"
Keep "formally" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "formally" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "formally", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "formally" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriesadverbmanner adverb
More specific
6 entriesCollocations
5 entriesformally announced policyformally approved planformally documented procedureformally titled certificateformally trained students
Inflections
2 entriesmore formallymost formally
Derivations
3 entriesAntonyms
1 entriesSample sentences
14 total sentences available.
We've never been formally introduced.
Source: tatoeba (1893595)
The proposal was formally accepted at a plenary session of the association.
Source: tatoeba (1988547)
Whether written or spoken, formally monologic or dialogic, discourse is studied as interaction.
Source: tatoeba (2403384)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "formally"?
Closest matches include officially, academically, administratively, bulletined, by the book.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "formally"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.