rites

plural of rite
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

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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 At that time, the Catholic Church banned funeral rites and burial on consecrated grounds for those who died by suicide. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 Formal rites for the dying, already limited, were further truncated or skipped entirely. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 The family later performed symbolic final rites using an effigy. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 In its review, the National Park Service found 4,304 objects that were likely associated with death rites or ceremonies, the agency said in a July 31 federal notice. — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2026 The symbolic funeral pyres were surrounded by offerings to Hindu deities as relatives gathered to perform the final rites. — Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Its rise also marks the beginning of the Hindu celebration of Pitru Paksha, during which worshippers perform rites to honor ancestors by offering prayers and food to past members of their families. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 On a construction site in Hainan Province, on the sub-tropical southern tip of China, a reactor barely the height of a four-story building has spent 2026 working through the final rites of commissioning that precede commercial nuclear power. — Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 Many of its rites can be performed by anyone, but there have often been individuals with a special aptitude for and knowledge of these practices. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rites
Noun
  • Here are 16 satisfying activities and rituals to add to your fall bucket list.
    — Clare Marie Schneider, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Shunned by locals, who believe she is cursed, Eleni turns to ancient rituals to resurrect her dead offspring but instead summons malevolent folkloric creatures known as the Kalikantzari.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Rice’s recent focus has been as the head of ceremonies and content for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games — but now Rice focuses on a more urgent task.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Buses will leave up to 45 minutes after the conclusion of the event, including any post-game ceremonies unless otherwise noted.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Although their mythological associations and forms of celebration differ by region, both are marked by major religious and communal observances and festivities.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Most people can safely fast for Yom Kippur or other religious or cultural observances.
    — Reed Berger-Fleishman, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rites. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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