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
as in ceremonial
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ritual
Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The spa includes saunas, a Himalayan salt room and a hammam — a traditional steam bath associated with Middle Eastern and North African wellness rituals.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Flying’s guilt-free ritual Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, and primarily serves destinations on the continent and in North Africa.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
Notably, lactic acid, a key ingredient, draws upon traditional Korean skin exfoliation rituals.
—Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The spa includes saunas, a Himalayan salt room and a hammam — a traditional steam bath associated with Middle Eastern and North African wellness rituals.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
Adjective
The Shema – Judaism’s foundational prayer – was once a part of each kid’s bedtime ritual.
—Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Flying’s guilt-free ritual Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, and primarily serves destinations on the continent and in North Africa.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
-
Why are Americans waiting for the federal government to change local and regional habits to meet the challenges of climate change?—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Reddit users in Millennial communities have framed the moment as a return to childhood and pre-digital habits, talking less about productivity and more about joy.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
On May 9th, in a ceremony on the bank of the Danube River, he will be sworn in as Prime Minister.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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But there was one part of the ceremony that left him with a bittersweet taste in his mouth.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The former catcher was one of the six coaches fired last month following the team’s 10-17 start, so when the six Red Sox legends threw out their ceremonial first pitch, Martinez threw to current catcher Connor Wong instead of his former teammate.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
For Jimeno — who has spent years sharing his story through speaking engagements and books — the visit was more than ceremonial.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
After the high ankle sprain and torn ligaments, she was cleared to return to practice in three months.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
-
In the first two years under Canales, the Panthers have only had two QBs on the active roster and have kept an additional one on the practice squad — the team opting to use the additional game day slot for an extra lineman, or defender, or someone who can contribute on special teams.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Rifling through the outdoor lot, where books are arranged by price on open metal shelving, is a Boston rite of literary passage.—
Cameron Sperance,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
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Wearing a surgical mask to hold off the dank air, Reyes chose a bike and, before going to work on its components, performed the last rite for its former life.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Leo presided over the service sitting off to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his hands.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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Although the pope celebrates mass regularly on Sundays, feast days, and many other occasions, the Urbi et Orbi blessing is much rarer, reserved for solemn events in the church’s liturgical calendar.—
Leo XIV,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many of his later programs have been capped by a coda in which the tricks of the trade are laid bare—no trick being more vital than that of extreme patience, with camera operators waiting days, or even weeks, for the right cub, or pup, or fledgling, or froglet, to show up.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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There is not a whole lot to chuckle about these days, and her column does the trick for me every week.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Beyond tacos and margaritas, the day is a historical observance of Mexico's triumph over the French.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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The denomination contains many divisions, each one adjusting their observance of Jewish law differently in response to modernity.—
Michal Raucher,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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