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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ritual
Will Tizard, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
The ritual marks a line where nature has left none.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
What began as a whimsical experiment has turned into a daily ritual that Vroom says has transformed her mood, focus and even her physical health.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
Novakova underwent ritual cleansing with herbal smoke before being welcomed to the wild terrain to film.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
The ritual marks a line where nature has left none.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Having analyzed the treasure, the study authors now postulate that the diversity that would come to define the Scythian animal style might reflect different social groups utilizing and adapting the theme for funerary rituals.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
What began as a whimsical experiment has turned into a daily ritual that Vroom says has transformed her mood, focus and even her physical health.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
-
Over the years, Chris Jones has made a habit of praising his line coach, Joe Cullen.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Saleh on Lucas Cornerback Chase Lucas has won over Saleh with his play and his study habits.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After the executions, the bodies were discarded without ceremony.—
James Frater,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Now a mommy influencer on Instagram, Abby and her husband call upon Noah to oversee a baby naming ceremony, which a vengeful Joanne also attends.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rooney, founder of the nonprofit organization Folds of Honor, was on hand Friday at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock and hit the ceremonial first tee shot to kick off the Simmons Bank Championship for the second consecutive year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Oct. 2025
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Horror seems cathartic, or psychically protective—a safe ritual that admits the reality of violence and cruelty while also warding it off, like a ceremonial demon mask.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Denver has a pair of young prospects on their practice squad in Patrick Murtagh and Caleb Lohner, a seventh-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, but Denver has been seeking more experience at the position.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
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Plus, your purchase also supports the brand’s sustainable cotton sourcing initiative that promotes betting farming practices and protects the environment for extra peace of mind.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
Adjective
-
During his tenure, Nelson introduced a series of organizational and liturgical changes intended to emphasize the centrality of Jesus Christ in church practice and to streamline local worship.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The work, which King has described as a meditation on love, resilience and inner-strength, is set to Black spirituals and Jewish liturgical music, features vocals by the great singer Lisa Fischer and a score by piano great Jason Moran, artists with whom the collab-happy King has worked before.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the weeks leading up to Halloween, Newman continues to share wig tips ahead of partying and trick-or-treating.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement Apple and caramel dips Apples are a top-tier fall fruit and a healthy, on-theme choice for trick-or-treaters.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But starting in 1970, Time and Date AS has tracked observance of daylight saving time in Kentucky every year.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Tennessee is one of multiple states that has passed legislation for year-round observance of daylight saving time.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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