ritual 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ritualnext
1
as in habit
a usual manner of behaving or doing her morning ritual is to enjoy a bracing cup of coffee while reading the newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in ceremony
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules a ritual that the ancient peoples of that country believed would bring rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

ritual

2 of 2

adjective

as in ceremonial

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 ritual
Noun
Making daylight saving time permanent moved a step closer to reality this week, when the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass a measure to eliminate the annual clock-changing ritual. — Yonat Shimron, NPR, 16 July 2026 Kalandula Falls, Angola The roaring Kalandula Falls are considered sacred, a place where locals once performed rituals to ask the gods for health and wealth. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 16 July 2026
Adjective
The Cancer new moon prescribes you quiet time for rest, recharging, and ritual. — Usa Today, USA Today, 14 July 2026 The spiritual economy is not necessarily about outright faith, but rather ritual, emotion and a sense of agency. — CNN Money, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
  1. habit
  2. ceremony
  3. ceremonial
  4. practice
  5. rite
  6. liturgical
  7. trick
  8. observance
Noun
  • Time has a habit of judging architects more generously than their contemporaries often do.
    — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Even the safest options on this list work best alongside consistent sleep habits, such as a regular schedule, a cool dark room and limited screens before bed.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026
Definition of habit
Noun
  • Long before this summer, there were opening ceremonies, fireworks and countdowns to kickoff.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Michelin unveiled the initiative at its Nordic Countries ceremony in Copenhagen on June 1, 2026, with an international rollout planned.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of ceremony
Adjective
  • There will be ceremonial aspects that feel uniquely Spanish, Portuguese or Moroccan, but there need not be military aircrafts flying overhead or the host country’s anthem played before matches.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Former Cubs pitcher and World Series champion Kyle Hendricks will throw a ceremonial first pitch before Saturday’s game, and members of the 2016 World Series championship team will sing during the seventh-inning stretch.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Definition of ceremonial
Noun
  • The investigation is part of a broader crackdown on what’s known as birth tourism, the practice of traveling to another country, so a child is born there.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026
  • He was paired with a more experienced colleague and learned through instruction and hands-on practice how to care for pines and azaleas, mainly using a hand-pruning technique essential for the Imperial Palace and villas.
    — Hiroshige Yazawa Japan News, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
Definition of practice
Noun
  • Desperate to have a child, a couple travels to a fertility rite deep in the Estonian forest – only to realize they’ve been lured there to be sacrificed.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 14 July 2026
  • What was once an annual rite of summer for him has become more rare lately.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 13 July 2026
Definition of rite
Adjective
  • The Cupichs attended a parish where mass was celebrated in Latin (the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council were yet to come) but the sermons were spoken in Croatian.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Alongside official ceremonies and liturgical events, Leo is expected to emphasize his concern for marginalized communities.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 6 June 2026
Definition of liturgical
Noun
  • Les Bleus were then a penalty shootout away from retaining it four years later when a Mbappe hat-trick improbably wasn’t enough to ensure France became the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Small styling tricks can help create movement, texture, and add visual interest—and one of those is reflexing.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that observe observance of year-round Standard Time.
    — Mary Ella Hastings Updated July 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
  • Arbaeen, Shiʿi Muslim observance that marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the death of al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī, which is commemorated annually on Ashura.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026
Definition of observance

Browse Nearby Words

rites
ritual
ritualistic
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Cite this Entry

“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ritual

Nglish: Translation of ritual for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ritual

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