RITUAL Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

ritual 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ritual

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

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

Amid cacao ceremonies, breathwork and psychedelic rituals, relationships begin to unravel, families drift apart and old wounds resurface, as the festival organizers ignore warnings of an approaching tornado. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026 The two rituals have unfolded in parallel since the Christian church’s pastor, Sarah Lucas, preached a sermon condemning Arapaho ceremonial ways. — Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Gottlieb, at the same time, made works merging surrealism with imagery inspired by masks and ritual objects from Africa, the Pacific, and Native North American cultures. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 The earliest community members built Etowah mounds by first digging soil for the earthen platforms, then filling them with the remains of ritual feasts. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ritual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual

Noun

Looking for a solution to a nagging health issue or bad habit?

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Differing opinions, interests, schedules, habits, and cleanliness standards can all stack up to turn what was supposed to be a fun group trip into something entirely the opposite.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of habit

Adjective

Goggles, who practices Arapaho ceremonial ways but dabbles in Christianity, liked the worship band and activities that kept her grandchildren busy.

— Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
The haka, a ceremonial Maori dance performed by the New Zealand rugby union team — and other sides representing that country across different sports — is, in many ways, the iconic image of rugby itself.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of ceremonial

Noun

Bowers dominated the Raiders’ defense in training camp, had success against a top Texans unit in their joint practice and is obviously the key to igniting the offense.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The nicest of the quartet, Springfield features a large clubhouse, a beautiful practice area with an oversized putting green and a challenging 6,906-yard course that is hilly, woody and will ask you to hit lots of precise shots.

— Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of practice

Noun

Grieving families were made visible, giving voice and shape to those who were lost, as people held symbolic burial rites or went on their own journeys to look for loved ones.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
The ceremonies provide an outlet for the grief and uncertainty that have gripped so many in Nepal, and ensure that a key religious rite is afforded to the dead.

— Andrew Jones, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of rite

Adjective

Paintings, liturgical objects and the clothes of a notable 18th century Spanish count were among the other items removed from the monastery.

— Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of liturgical

Noun

My father was the man of tricks, who sat for an hour mining a watermelon with a circular spoon, who carved the rind into a castle.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Teoxane that pulls a bit of a magic trick; metallic and foil eye shadow sticks with a magnetic design from Danessa Myricks Beauty; and a new way to perform one of plastic surgery’s most popular procedures, breast augmentation, from Motiva.

— Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of trick

Browse Nearby Words

rites

ritual

ritualistic

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ritual

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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