baptism

noun

ˈbap-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce baptism (audio)
Definition of baptismnext
as in inauguration
the process or an instance of being formally placed in an office or organization the baptism of the new members of the college fraternity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 baptism But all that changed in 1717, after father and son had an explosive row at the baptism of George Augustus’s son. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026 John the Baptist led his ministry and baptisms, including Jesus’, in the Valley. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026 At David’s Tent, a 24-hour prayer ministry that was expanded for the fair, a woman in the baptism pool embraced another with tears in her eyes. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Then, a few months later, while preparing for Violet’s baptism, the family made a discovery that Ayaub says answered those prayers. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for baptism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baptism
  1. inauguration
  2. inaugural
  3. initiation
Noun
  • Walesa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership of the Polish anti-communist resistance as the head of the Solidarity trade union, and was later Polish president, had a front row seat during the inauguration ceremony.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • He was invited to go to the inauguration of Harris and Joe Biden in 2021.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of inauguration
Noun
  • Van Dijk and her fellow travelers even brought their own swag to give out and said inaugurals feel like a bonding experience for everyone on the flight.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 May 2026
  • In the inaugural Be Our Valentine campaign, HopeWorks aims to build a stronger network for survivors.
    — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of inaugural
Noun
  • Less serious subjects are on the agenda, too, such as the initiation songs that started spontaneously one night in the team’s Rosewood hotel in Hong Kong.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Yet here is Stribling, who appears to have every opportunity to defy the traditional Shanahan initiation ritual by making play after play so far this summer.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of initiation

Phrases Containing baptism

Browse Nearby Words

bantlings
baptism
baptismal name
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Baptism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptism. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on baptism

Nglish: Translation of baptism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about baptism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All