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
With Hillary Dawa alone on the world’s tallest mountain in perilous conditions for so long, his family had already begun funeral rites for him.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims’ bodies, which clash with local burial rites.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims' bodies, which clash with local burial rites.
—CBS News, 31 May 2026
Distrust, travel bans could complicate response Dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for dealing with the bodies of victims, which clash with local burial rites.
—Mark Banchereau, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
At least three attacks have been recorded against health centers in Ituri province as residents protested stringent medical protocols that clashed with local burial rites, heightening the danger health workers face.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Contact with the body of an Ebola victim is an easy way for the disease to spread, but sanitary disposal of a body conflicts with the cultural burial rites of the Congolese.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The incident underscored growing tensions between health officials enforcing strict Ebola containment measures and local customs surrounding funerals and burial rites.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
He was visited by a priest on Monday, May 4, who performed the last rites.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims’ bodies, which clash with local burial rites.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims' bodies, which clash with local burial rites.
—CBS News, 31 May 2026
Distrust, travel bans could complicate response Dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for dealing with the bodies of victims, which clash with local burial rites.
—Mark Banchereau, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
At least three attacks have been recorded against health centers in Ituri province as residents protested stringent medical protocols that clashed with local burial rites, heightening the danger health workers face.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Contact with the body of an Ebola victim is an easy way for the disease to spread, but sanitary disposal of a body conflicts with the cultural burial rites of the Congolese.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The incident underscored growing tensions between health officials enforcing strict Ebola containment measures and local customs surrounding funerals and burial rites.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
He was visited by a priest on Monday, May 4, who performed the last rites.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rites
Noun
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Its beauty lies in repetition, in comfort and in the quiet rituals of everyday life.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
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If anything, today encourages you to experiment with your schedule, work habits, wellness rituals or daily responsibilities in a way that actually supports and inspires you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Much more rarely, presidents travel for ceremonies and events, such as foreign leaders’ funerals, or simply to visit American military installations.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
16 June 2026
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Princess Anne's kids did not publicly attend Trooping or the Order of the Garter ceremonies.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Noun
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The official reasons for these state-level observances are published through gubernatorial proclamations and state alert programs, ensuring communities know when and why the flag is lowered.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Nov. 2025
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The poppy became such a recognizable symbol for remembrance observances that veterans’ groups started selling paper replicas of the flowers to raise money for veterans’ causes.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rites. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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