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
Bigelow has often been accused of being apolitical—or, because of her fascination with the codes, rites, and aesthetics of men at war, of advancing a gung-ho fetishization of American militarism.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
According to the Ceremonial of Bishops, such rites – often a Mass or a Liturgy of the Word – should take place as soon as possible following a desecration.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Religious rites and ceremonies have no effect.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
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
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
According to the Ceremonial of Bishops, such rites – often a Mass or a Liturgy of the Word – should take place as soon as possible following a desecration.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Religious rites and ceremonies have no effect.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rites
Noun
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In subsequent decades, those group rituals became rarer as genres splintered and people’s tastes diversified.—
Jonathan Garrett,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
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Fear and anxiety are natural responses to uncertainty, but small daily rituals can restore calm.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But unlike at previous swearing in ceremonies there weren't any members of the public.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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Plenty of other cultures have similar ceremonies, some older than Mexico’s, Reyes says.—
Rocío Muñoz-Ledo,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Many districts allow for short-term exceptions—such as for bereavement, family emergencies, or religious observances—but rarely for travel motivated by convenience or cost.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Now employers must show a substantial hardship when refusing to honor religious beliefs or practices, such as allowing employees to wear a yarmulke, hijab or turban, pray at work or to schedule work around religious observances.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rites. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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