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
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Recent Examples of rite
The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.
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Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
From the rite of spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewa l… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
From the rite of Spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album ‘Easter’ gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
From the rite of spring to easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rite
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
From the rite of spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewa l… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
From the rite of Spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album ‘Easter’ gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
From the rite of spring to easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rite
Noun
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Celebrating love is universal, but the exact rites and rituals vary.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
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For many, the day is less a one-time outing and more a ritual.—
Michael Howes,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Their ceremony began with a hymn sung by Darius’ favorite gospel singer, Jekalyn Carr, and guests were invited to sing along, the couple recalled to the outlet.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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For her Coronation ceremony on June 4th, 1953, the Queen wore a gown designed by Norman Hartnell.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rite. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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