rite

as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 rite The result is a celestial feast that honors the harvest, connects you to global equinox rituals, and turns a simple night under the stars into a communal rite of renewal. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2025 As part of the Stone Dead project, the new research demonstrates how tools played an important role in Stone Age funerary rites. Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025 Acutis’ site reported incidents of the host – the bread used in the rite – beginning to bleed or even exhibiting living tissue. Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025 The film begins with our protagonist, Ahmed, carrying out his late father’s funeral rites while verses are read from an ancient Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rite
Noun
  • Rather than nagging or framing missteps as failures, create initiation rituals that cue the brain to shift into work mode.
    Ana Homayoun, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Other WAGs observe pre-kickoff rituals, like hosting tailgates, saying prayers or gathering their whole family together to watch the action.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Kim made the comments during a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for a memorial for North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian troops in Russia’s Kursk region during Moscow’s ongoing war with Ukraine, KCNA said.
    Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Lupe opted for a courthouse ceremony in Beverly Hills, joined by Ellis, her daughter with Mason, and their dog.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rite. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!