1
as in routines
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity
I can't get into the groove on Monday morning without a cup of coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in places
a situation or activity for which a person or thing is best suited
after years of bouncing from job to job, she discovered that her natural groove was social work
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in blends
to form a pleasing relationship
surprisingly, his flighty, artistic sensibility and her no-nonsense practicality groove together rather well
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grooves
Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
These grooves can hold bad bacteria.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
Dip a soft toothbrush into the solution and use it to gently clean grooves, being careful not to bend, compress, or scratch the gasket.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
This pack is more interested in electronic grooves as a means of exploration than pop hits that use the beat to rocket us to a chorus, but the pool remains rather mainstream nevertheless.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The audience swayed to the grooves of music from the Katamari Damacy series before Okubo changed the tone with the powerful beat of Tekken 8, creating a more aggressive vibe.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
And there are active pages on Bandcamp that have adopted the same skeevy tactics that grifters use on Spotify and YouTube; across a few months last year, the account Cyberfunk Station puked out over 30 albums packed with barely distinguishable, nimble disco grooves.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Austin Psych Fest will return to South Austin on May 8-10, unveiling a lineup that stretches from psychedelic legacy acts to contemporary soul, global grooves and local stalwarts, all set for a three-day run at The Far Out Lounge.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
Robinson and Derrick Brown played well throughout the year, while Wharton and Bobby Brown just couldn’t find steady grooves, despite some flashes of brilliance.
—Mike Kaye
january 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Jan. 2026
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen gives these bright copper nails indents and grooves for a unique way to dress them up.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
In the spring, Caltrans intends to remove the channelizers and put in what are called rumble strips — in this case, grooves in the roadway — from the School-State Park turnoff to Newport Coast Drive, to gently jar off-course drivers to attention.
—Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
And perhaps Edwards’ absence will force the likes of Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo to find more consistent offense grooves out of necessity and volume.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
Six strong permanent magnets attach the X50’s sole dust filter to its bottom panel, and grooves at the base of its feet lock one edge into place.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
But on this Royal Oak afternoon teeming with adventurous jazz grooves, Was is happily nestled in his roots.
—Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
Try Cotton Swabs and Q-Tips Baseboards are generally much easier to clean than gas stovetops or toilet bowls, but their tight corners and narrow grooves can make the task of cleaning somewhat challenging.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
These grooves can hold bad bacteria.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
Dip a soft toothbrush into the solution and use it to gently clean grooves, being careful not to bend, compress, or scratch the gasket.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
This pack is more interested in electronic grooves as a means of exploration than pop hits that use the beat to rocket us to a chorus, but the pool remains rather mainstream nevertheless.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The audience swayed to the grooves of music from the Katamari Damacy series before Okubo changed the tone with the powerful beat of Tekken 8, creating a more aggressive vibe.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
And there are active pages on Bandcamp that have adopted the same skeevy tactics that grifters use on Spotify and YouTube; across a few months last year, the account Cyberfunk Station puked out over 30 albums packed with barely distinguishable, nimble disco grooves.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
Austin Psych Fest will return to South Austin on May 8-10, unveiling a lineup that stretches from psychedelic legacy acts to contemporary soul, global grooves and local stalwarts, all set for a three-day run at The Far Out Lounge.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
Robinson and Derrick Brown played well throughout the year, while Wharton and Bobby Brown just couldn’t find steady grooves, despite some flashes of brilliance.
—Mike Kaye
january 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Bar Tab Dan Stahl grooves to a cover band in melting-pot midtown.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen gives these bright copper nails indents and grooves for a unique way to dress them up.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
In the spring, Caltrans intends to remove the channelizers and put in what are called rumble strips — in this case, grooves in the roadway — from the School-State Park turnoff to Newport Coast Drive, to gently jar off-course drivers to attention.
—Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
And perhaps Edwards’ absence will force the likes of Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo to find more consistent offense grooves out of necessity and volume.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
Six strong permanent magnets attach the X50’s sole dust filter to its bottom panel, and grooves at the base of its feet lock one edge into place.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
But on this Royal Oak afternoon teeming with adventurous jazz grooves, Was is happily nestled in his roots.
—Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grooves
Noun
-
Gemini May 21 – June 20 When emotions shift, routines need flexibility.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
May 21 – June 20 When emotions shift, routines need flexibility.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While much of the worst damage had been cleared, in some places, power lines still hung low over roads and laid strewn about in parking lots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
People want to know where the watch parties are, what to eat, which places have the best drink deals.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Los Angeles leaders called on Wasserman to resign after the series of racy emails between him and Maxwell were released in the latest batch of the Jeffrey Epstein files over the weekend.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … FOUL PLAY – Lions fan files $100M lawsuit after DK Metcalf clash, denies racial slur claims.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Modern chairs with forest green upholstery offer a cozier take on the typical dining area that blends with the style of the open living room.—
Felicia Feaster,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
First launched in 2024, the broadcast has introduced a new viewing experience that blends live NFL game action with the look and feel of the iconic Madden video game.—
Steve Bornstein,
Sportico.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Regardless, county crews are constantly filling these ruts and encourage drivers to report them.—
Alysia Burgio,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Some wagon wheel ruts are still visible.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Archivists created inventories and catalogs, attached labels identifying genre and content, and developed filing systems using baskets, shelves, and wall niches.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Many of these companies have little experience with mainstream advertising, and most of their focus has instead been on using digital outreach to cultivate specific customer niches.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Upon inspection one evening, the father discovered scratches all over the bottom of the pair.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
And even though All the Little Houses is set in the ’80s, complete with Laura Ashley dresses and Jazzercise references, the novel scratches a thoroughly modern itch for real access to the inner lives of the kinds of alpha women who swarm our social media feeds.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Don’t put corn husks, coffee grinds, onion peels, peach pits, eggshells, bones, vegetable peels, meat scraps, grease and large amounts of pasta down the drain.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This is because the amount of coffee that can fit in a volumetric measuring tool like a tablespoon can vary with different grinds.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grooves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grooves. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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