as in rituals
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 rites
These cultures are said to have used flutes made from bone in ceremonial rites.
—
Karla Gachet, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Other tools found in the gravesites appear to be brand new and were buried with the dead during funerary rites.
—Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 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
As Black instruments were confiscated and burned, the new Caribbeans would abandon their plantations to perform secret rites in the forests, or remake their tools entirely.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2025
As teenagers, they were convicted of murdering three 8-year-old boys, allegedly as part of Satanic rites.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Shamanistic elements are naturally woven into Korean holidays and ancestral memorial rites.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
This research sheds light on the architecture and funerary rites of ancient Achaea, a region known for its role in founding the colony of Croton in Magna Graecia.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 2024
Part 2, on Sunday, is an inaugural Mass, with special rites to consecrate the main altar.
—John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
Karla Gachet, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Other tools found in the gravesites appear to be brand new and were buried with the dead during funerary rites.
—Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 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
As Black instruments were confiscated and burned, the new Caribbeans would abandon their plantations to perform secret rites in the forests, or remake their tools entirely.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2025
As teenagers, they were convicted of murdering three 8-year-old boys, allegedly as part of Satanic rites.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Shamanistic elements are naturally woven into Korean holidays and ancestral memorial rites.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
This research sheds light on the architecture and funerary rites of ancient Achaea, a region known for its role in founding the colony of Croton in Magna Graecia.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 2024
Part 2, on Sunday, is an inaugural Mass, with special rites to consecrate the main altar.
—John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rites
Noun
-
Living Well, Personified THE WELL Coconut Grove encourages slower transitions, moments of pause, and daily rituals that nourish residents holistically.—
The Well Coconut Grove,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Instead, the emphasis was placed on its lore and rituals as well as the Sphinx-like decision making of the show’s creator, showrunner, and executive producer, Lorne Michaels.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The space is thought to have been used for public ceremonies and announcements, Luthi explained.—
Simon Willis,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Visitors can explore a digital timeline of inductees, read bios for each inductee, and, in the Dove Theater, watch highlights from Dove Awards ceremonies dating back to 1969.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
European migrants brought festivals such as Samhain and other observances of mortality to North America.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Conference speakers remembered Kirk and incorporated the activist's memory in religious observances.—
Liam Adams,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rites. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share