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
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Recent Examples of rites
What makes the piece even more precious is that, in addition to Elizabeth, as many as 62 more children of the royal family have worn it for their own baptismal rites, including Charles and Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
—
Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
Their burial places were viewed as offering protection to the community, and they were honored like saints with festivals and religious rites.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
The weavings were reserved for use in royal courts, during funerary rites or for other important ceremonies.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Gomis, who’s credited along with five other editors, cuts from one ceremony to the other without warning, creating a vivid menagerie of sights, sounds, rites, languages, faces and places.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Russia wants to swallow Ukraine, even though both nations share Orthodox rites.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Three Palestinians were laid to rest in traditional Islamic funeral rites.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
By the power vested in him, Pritz conducted the rites inside the Egyptian.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
The service moved between prayer and music, including a traditional Ave Maria, before concluding with rites that saw mourners approach the coffin, which was draped in white lace, to pay their final respects.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
Their burial places were viewed as offering protection to the community, and they were honored like saints with festivals and religious rites.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
The weavings were reserved for use in royal courts, during funerary rites or for other important ceremonies.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Gomis, who’s credited along with five other editors, cuts from one ceremony to the other without warning, creating a vivid menagerie of sights, sounds, rites, languages, faces and places.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Russia wants to swallow Ukraine, even though both nations share Orthodox rites.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Three Palestinians were laid to rest in traditional Islamic funeral rites.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
By the power vested in him, Pritz conducted the rites inside the Egyptian.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
The service moved between prayer and music, including a traditional Ave Maria, before concluding with rites that saw mourners approach the coffin, which was draped in white lace, to pay their final respects.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rites
Noun
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The small rituals of a concert crowd make a show feel shared.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
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Based on the true legend of the founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers, the film traces the life of Lee, who after losing four children in infancy, became celibate and created a religious movement based in music and dayslong dance rituals.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Most years, the Writers Guild holds simultaneous ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Local Kiwanians organize events like the Hippity Hop Easter Egg Hunt; Kiwanis Special Games; monthly trail cleanups; backpack, clothing and holiday drives; scholarship and awards ceremonies; student leadership programs; and the Holiday Market.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Though distinct in their own right, the observances intersect on many levels.—
Ernesto Fonts,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
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It's often viewed as a time for celebration and revelry and the final burst of excitement before the solemn observances of the Easter season.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rites. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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