ritualistic

adjective

Save Word

rit·u·al·is·tic | \ ˌri-chə-wə-ˈli-stik

, -chə-ˈli-; ˌrich-wə- \

Definition of ritualistic

1 : of, in accordance with, or characterized by the use of ritual: such as

a : relating to or done as a ceremony or rite a ritualistic dance For Rick, the clincher came in 2001, when he discovered 20 identical trumpets, made from a type of conch shell … . The trumpets were highly decorated, indicating a ritualistic use.— Michael Brooks Ritualistic language (such as the oyez, oyez, oyez or hear ye, hear ye, hear ye that opens a court session) separates legal proceedings from ordinary life, marking them as being special and important.— Peter Tiersma

b : done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol Bush made the ritualistic visits to polling places, making a last-minute bid for support in this intense and important contest.— Jeanne Meserve

c : of, relating to, or being an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner The repetitive nature of online tasks—checking e-mail, searching for data, sending replies—has a soothing, ritualistic quality … .— Maia Szalavitz

2 : stressing the use of ritual forms : adhering to or devoted to ritualism We can look at Stonehenge not only to envision the ancient, ritualistic people who built it, but also to imagine a version of ourselves closer to nature … according to Wisser.— Jed Oelbaum