GROOVES Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

grooves 1 of 2

noun

plural of groove

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

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

grooves

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of groove

as in files

to mark with or as if with a line or groove if you groove that piece of wood, we should be able to fit this smaller board into it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of grooves

Noun

The rough fibers had tiny grooves and uneven pores on their surfaces. —

Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026 Afterward, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush to remove grooves. —

Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026 The hybrid outsole combines rubber pods with foam cushioning in a pattern that mirrors earlier Uneek models, including the line’s rounded pods and flex grooves. —

Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026 The long, clustered strands create grooves along the nail, resulting in a look that is reminiscent of a slow-moving stream. —

Rosa Pyo, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026 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 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

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

Figure skaters close their eyes and go through their routines.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
This music-heavy YouTube series encourages kids to get moving with original songs and dance routines.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 14 Feb. 2026