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
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Recent Examples of rite
The incident underscored growing tensions between health officials enforcing strict Ebola containment measures and local customs surrounding funerals and burial rites.
—
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
In a better world, Altman might emerge from this humiliating rite with some genuine humility.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Fashion is filled with seasons — spring, summer, cruise, couture and, for the financially inclined, the quarterly rite of earnings season, which is currently in full swing.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
He was visited by a priest on Monday, May 4, who performed the last rites.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rite
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
In a better world, Altman might emerge from this humiliating rite with some genuine humility.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Fashion is filled with seasons — spring, summer, cruise, couture and, for the financially inclined, the quarterly rite of earnings season, which is currently in full swing.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
He was visited by a priest on Monday, May 4, who performed the last rites.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rite
Noun
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For rye fans, though, the hunt is part of the ritual.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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If one were looking for a sports league that most faithfully reflects the modern United States — its stratification, its rituals of self-justification, its remarkable talent for dressing inequality in the language of tradition — Major League Baseball would be hard to beat.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Before the ceremony began Thursday, Ricardo joined his mother and brother in their Sunday best outside the arena.—
Gregory Royal Pratt,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
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Ali was doubly surprised because the mailers went out to voters just a few weeks after Waters attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Centennial High School campus.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rite. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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