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
Relevance
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
Distrust, travel bans could complicate response 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.
—
Jean-Yves Kamale, Los Angeles Times, 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
The university's Bangladesh Student Association has served as a liaison, asking the institution for help preserving Limon's remains in accordance with Islamic rites.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
The world may have been upended by the war and the ink has barely dried on the Treaty of Versailles, but the society doyennes are doing their darnedest to return to the rituals and rites that used to govern our days.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Celebrating love is universal, but the exact rites and rituals vary.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Jean-Yves Kamale, Los Angeles Times, 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
The university's Bangladesh Student Association has served as a liaison, asking the institution for help preserving Limon's remains in accordance with Islamic rites.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
The world may have been upended by the war and the ink has barely dried on the Treaty of Versailles, but the society doyennes are doing their darnedest to return to the rituals and rites that used to govern our days.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Celebrating love is universal, but the exact rites and rituals vary.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rites
Noun
-
Venus conjunct Jupiter in Cancer expands your sixth house of work, wellness and daily rituals, making today ideal for improving your routine with more care, comfort and support.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
The experience also includes moonrise photography, Champagne sail, nightly beach dining and daily spa rituals, all in a private setting.—
Judith Garrison,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Visitors can witness year-round lighting ceremonies and stroll the half-mile Presidential Trail just below the granite busts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
The quake struck on the first day of classes nationwide after a two-month summer break, and many who sustained injuries were young students who had gathered with excitement for morning flag-raising ceremonies.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Kiddon harkened back to the early days of the La Grange post’s Memorial Day observances, which have been a tradition there for 82 years.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2026
-
Memorial Day observances were also held at Forest Lawn memorial parks in Covina Hills, Hollywood Hills and Glendale.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rites. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
