ritualize

verb

rit·​u·​al·​ize ˈri-chə-wə-ˌlīz How to pronounce ritualize (audio)
-chə-ˌlīz;
ˈrich-wə-
ritualized; ritualizing

transitive verb

1
: to make a ritual of
2
: to impose a ritual on
ritualization
ˌri-chə-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce ritualize (audio)
-chə-lə-;
ˌrich-wə-
noun

Examples of ritualize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Using water as a healing space is one of the oldest ways that cultures have ritualized the experience of connection and purification. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 6 Apr. 2023 Since the subjects aren’t greatly individualized, the film’s just-the-facts approach becomes naggingly repetitive, almost ritualized. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 May 2023 Throughout history, enslaved Romani families likely used the concept of marimé as a way to ritualize hygiene in slave quarters. The Foretold Team, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2023 For some crypto executives, ritualized cleansing is not enough. Erin Griffith, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023 Many enthusiasts ritualize their teatimes. Richard Morgan, Star Tribune, 9 Mar. 2021 Tennis champion, Serena Williams, enters her next chapter with a new lifestyle brand of performance-care products designed to redefine and ritualize self-care. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Dec. 2022 The nails also symbolize self-expression and the small acts of personal upkeep that many people rely on — or ritualize — in order to persevere on a daily basis. New York Times, 26 Oct. 2021 In the former, technology allows for a lifestyle of sybaritic ease — until the age of 30, when all citizens are killed off in a ritualized ceremony. Mark Lamster, Dallas News, 20 Mar. 2020

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

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of ritualize was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near ritualize

Cite this Entry

“Ritualize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritualize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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