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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Recent Examples of rites
Celebrating love is universal, but the exact rites and rituals vary.
—
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
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.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
One of the central pillars of the American dream is becoming increasingly decoupled from the other key rites of adulthood.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Of these, Anglicans traditionally hold only baptism and the Eucharist as sacraments instituted by Christ and regard the others as sacramental rites.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
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.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
One of the central pillars of the American dream is becoming increasingly decoupled from the other key rites of adulthood.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Of these, Anglicans traditionally hold only baptism and the Eucharist as sacraments instituted by Christ and regard the others as sacramental rites.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rites
Noun
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Festivities and rituals build in intensity over Holy Week, culminating in an eight-hour, overnight service that ends with the breaking of a 55-day fast in which believers abstain from meat and animal products.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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This bilingual poetry book explores dream states, distance and the rituals of sleep.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The governor is expected to hold multiple bill-signing ceremonies in the coming weeks, as hundreds of bills are awaiting his signature.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The royal court, along with the palaces of nobles, became centers of elegance and display, with ceremonies and outward grandeur being an important part of courtly culture.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In just the past few weeks, public debate has centered on issues such as school curriculum oversight, commemorative and cultural observances and facility access policies.—
Brett Wilson,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Apr. 2026
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Worshippers can now freely gather at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites for major religious celebrations, including Orthodox Easter and Ramadan observances.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rites. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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