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
Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
As new discoveries emerge, researchers hope to deepen their understanding of how and when early humans began treating death with ritual, symbolism, and meaning.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2025
Now, his daily bus stop greeting has become a cherished family ritual.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
But there was also something distorted about the ritual denunciations of Trump, which inevitably invoked the specter of white colonialism.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
As new discoveries emerge, researchers hope to deepen their understanding of how and when early humans began treating death with ritual, symbolism, and meaning.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Adjective
What began as a foray into the peculiar rituals and routines of one iconic writer rapidly expanded into several rituals and routines of multiple iconic writers.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2025
Now, his daily bus stop greeting has become a cherished family ritual.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
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How often is Anthony Edwards asked to account for his W.N.B.A. viewing habits?—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
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That irrelevancy may come with the passing of time and the changing of habits from one generation to the next, but for now, Match of the Day remains the pillar of English football’s TV schedule.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In my research, looking at many of the rebellions of enslaved people across the Caribbean, the drum was always used in a ceremony just before.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
23 Aug. 2025
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The Club World Cup final culminated in a ceremony in which Trump presented Premier League team Chelsea with the trophy.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Permission denied The Unification Bridge, spanning the Imjin River in Paju, South Korea, has long been a ceremonial crossing point for summit meetings, family reunions, and rare delegations traveling between the Koreas.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
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Win McNamee/Getty Images A ceremonial military honor guard lined the South Lawn of the White House on Monday morning as seven European leaders arrived for a pivotal round of meetings with Trump.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Horned Frogs have the next two days off before returning to practice Tuesday.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Aug. 2025
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Quick hits and thoughts as the Dolphins prepare for the third and final week of preseason, culminating in Thursday’s joint practice with the Jaguars in Miami Gardens and Saturday’s preseason finale against Jacksonville at Hard Rock Stadium (7 p.m., CBS 4).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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First introduced in 2003, the return of the PSL has become an annual rite of late summer since Starbucks introduced the drink.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
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The presidency said his body will be returned to Nigeria for Muslim funeral rites.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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The priestly fraternity, named in honor of the anti-modernist Pope St. Pius X, was founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre as a response to liturgical reforms made in the Second Vatican Council (also known as Vatican II).—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Aug. 2025
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The Boise Oñati Dancers will perform a sacred liturgical dance.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Covino deploys some of his favorite tricks, like observing domestic chaos or bliss from the outside looking in (or reverse), and characters performing unexpected songs in order to win over a lover.—
Katie Walsh,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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Hawk – who is now 57 years old – landed the trick in June of 1999 at X Games V after trying for over a decade to land the move.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Government offices will be closed in observance of the holiday, including Secretary of State offices, the U.S. Post Office (FedEX's delivery services as well), courthouses and banks.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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In addition to its advocacy and education work, The Florida Holocaust Museum will share resources and host programs to make this observance widely accessible in the coming years: communities, classrooms, allies, and institutions of every kind.—
Mark Temnycky,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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