1
as in habit
a usual manner of behaving or doing
her morning ritual is to enjoy a bracing cup of coffee while reading the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ceremony
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
a ritual that the ancient peoples of that country believed would bring rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in ceremonial
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ritual
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
At the end of the rituals, one is supposed to burn the ingredients to get rid of the negative energy.
—Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 13 June 2026
Taryn White, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This is part of why Hijra women hold a specific ritual place in Nepal and across South Asia.
—Vogue, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
What daily rituals turn at-home time into a real retreat?
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
At the end of the rituals, one is supposed to burn the ingredients to get rid of the negative energy.
—Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 13 June 2026
Adjective
Guests can also unwind with seasonal and themed spa treatments such as the Luminary Radiance Facial and Golden Glow of Independence body ritual at the Waldorf Astoria Spa.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This is part of why Hijra women hold a specific ritual place in Nepal and across South Asia.
—Vogue, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
-
Chiron moving into Taurus wants to reshape your habits.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
These small habits keep the closet lean with almost no effort.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The chairs for 3,000 attendees at the opening ceremony on June 18 magically cleared overnight, making way for DJ sets, dancing and a long line to take a picture with the statue of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
But what about the actual ceremony?—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
An orange and blue sea migrated north to City Hall to continue the ceremonial commemorations.—
Amina Kilpatrick,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
The ceremonial throw was part of a visit by some of the Team England players to Kauffman Stadium.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Jefferson missed most of last summer’s practices with a hamstring injury.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Rondeau described her father as a devoted dad who took her to volleyball and softball practice, went camping with her and taught her about the outdoors.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Religious and traditional leaders, who oversee burial and funeral rites, are often the most trusted voices in their communities.—
Katherine Marshall,
STAT,
12 June 2026
-
Most recently in 2012, the Vatican stated that even if the Latter-day Saint baptismal rite refers to the Trinity, the church’s beliefs about the identities of the three are so different from Catholic and mainline Christian beliefs that the rite cannot be regarded as a Christian baptism.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Vatican authorized Esperanto for liturgical use decades ago, and Radio Vaticana still publishes news and papal updates in Esperanto online three times a week.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
Leo presided over the service sitting off to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his hands.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Artists and couturiers are fond of the whimsy of trompe l’oeil, the trick of the eye, the illusion of reality.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Cohesion is the trick, and color does most of the work.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Also, banks with a presence in North Carolina — including Wells Fargo and Bank of America — won’t open to customers in observance of the national holiday.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
-
United States stock markets will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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