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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grooves
Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
Standard hangers with notches Many standard plastic hangers have small notches or grooves along the top, originally designed to hold garment straps or accessories in place.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
These screws were made of stainless steel and the head of every screw [had] a pattern of concentric grooves.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Moments before the ball was tipped ahead of the Phoenix Suns’ Game 1 trouncing, Dillon Brooks ran his fingers over the grooves of the game ball the way starters tend to.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Using mathematical and three-dimensional modeling, the researchers scrutinized the damage on Pompeii’s walls and ultimately found that the angles and grooves didn’t match typical sling bullets or catapult shots.
—Taylor Mitchell Brown, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Its grooves provide guests with a stronger grip and a more stable drink, equating to stress-free sipping.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Stars Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez, each of whom had 100-plus RBIs last season, continue to grapple to find their grooves.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
The pieces had been in that container a long, long time, based on grooves in their surface thought to have been caused by burrowing worms.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Released at the top of the year, Vacancy, her third studio effort, highlights Lennox’s warm, buttery voice over the sultry grooves she’s known for.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Chops, gouges, wounds it like the shadow grooves on the sidewalks—the sun is setting earlier.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
After centuries of use, the board bore grooves and marks left by real human hands moving real pieces across its surface.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
Plus, the rubber outsole features specialized grooves to improve traction across a variety of surfaces.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
Standard hangers with notches Many standard plastic hangers have small notches or grooves along the top, originally designed to hold garment straps or accessories in place.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
These screws were made of stainless steel and the head of every screw [had] a pattern of concentric grooves.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Moments before the ball was tipped ahead of the Phoenix Suns’ Game 1 trouncing, Dillon Brooks ran his fingers over the grooves of the game ball the way starters tend to.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Using mathematical and three-dimensional modeling, the researchers scrutinized the damage on Pompeii’s walls and ultimately found that the angles and grooves didn’t match typical sling bullets or catapult shots.
—Taylor Mitchell Brown, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Its grooves provide guests with a stronger grip and a more stable drink, equating to stress-free sipping.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Stars Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez, each of whom had 100-plus RBIs last season, continue to grapple to find their grooves.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
The pieces had been in that container a long, long time, based on grooves in their surface thought to have been caused by burrowing worms.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
Cruz grooves onstage with the mystique of a natural rock star — this could well be her ultimate Hall of Fame moment.
—Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Released at the top of the year, Vacancy, her third studio effort, highlights Lennox’s warm, buttery voice over the sultry grooves she’s known for.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Chops, gouges, wounds it like the shadow grooves on the sidewalks—the sun is setting earlier.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
After centuries of use, the board bore grooves and marks left by real human hands moving real pieces across its surface.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grooves
Noun
-
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 4th House of Home and Family, shaking up routines, space, and emotional foundations.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Melissa Horner’s inconsistent presence in the home seemed to upset her son’s routines.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wolves, who immediately finished in the Europa League places in 2019 after a six-season spell away from the top flight, offer a more realistic target.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Not in the offseason, when their coaching staffs and front offices regularly trade places.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An executor files paperwork with a court to begin the legal process of settling an estate (known as probate).—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
While these claims are redacted on the CCRB’s website, they’re given over to anyone who files a FOIL request.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another downtown favorite is Three Cultures Kitchen, an eatery that blends American and Latin American cuisine.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
-
As Michael, Jaafar Jackson’s speaking voice is expressive, and his presence blends strength and fragility, power and vulnerability, even if, in dramatic scenes, the character is granted too little substance for there to be a self to express.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Those include sites like Bonneville Point – where emigrants got their first glimpse of the Boise River Valley and trail ruts can be seen – and Three Island Crossing State Park, named for the most crucial and challenging river crossing in the state.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, tilling wet soil can do more harm than good by creating dense soil layers and deep ruts.—
Nora Doonan,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many found new niches in grooming, boarding or training.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The report suggested these niches are more likely to go to TV news first over social media for breaking news coverage.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For a child who scratches through the night or wakes up with irritated patches, that difference in breathability is meaningful.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But this satirical peek into Silicon Valley's tech bubble barely scratches the surface of the depravity and dysfunction to come.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is perfect for a small household that just needs enough grinds for one pot of coffee at a time.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After using your coffee maker, clean the basin where the grinds go as well as the coffee pot using warm, soapy water.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grooves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grooves. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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