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
Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
As new discoveries emerge, researchers hope to deepen their understanding of how and when early humans began treating death with ritual, symbolism, and meaning.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
By photographing moments of introspection and inner life, Romane takes part in the ritual itself, while spending meaningful time with the communities of Jurema and the quilombos.
—Vogue, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
But there was also something distorted about the ritual denunciations of Trump, which inevitably invoked the specter of white colonialism.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
As new discoveries emerge, researchers hope to deepen their understanding of how and when early humans began treating death with ritual, symbolism, and meaning.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Adjective
For more than 100 years, Lake Forest Day has been an annual ritual providing a sense of familiarity for the city.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
By photographing moments of introspection and inner life, Romane takes part in the ritual itself, while spending meaningful time with the communities of Jurema and the quilombos.
—Vogue, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
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How often is Anthony Edwards asked to account for his W.N.B.A. viewing habits?—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Gradually, the habit evolved into purging food and then into a way to maintain his weight.—
Noelle Wiehe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Photographer Stephanie Naru recently shared pictures of Jess and Dave Tozer’s elopement, with an Instagram carousel full of sweet images from their May 2 private ceremony in St. Luke in the Fields garden in the West Village.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Tour opening ceremony on June 6, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement Johnson at a ceremonial signing on July 3 for Trump’s sweeping tax-and-spending bill.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
During the main event of the outing, the Stand-Up Parade for Number 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, the King had the honor of presenting the Squadron with their standard (another name for ceremonial flag) to recognize the unit re-forming.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Horned Frogs have the next two days off before returning to practice Tuesday.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Aug. 2025
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Quick hits and thoughts as the Dolphins prepare for the third and final week of preseason, culminating in Thursday’s joint practice with the Jaguars in Miami Gardens and Saturday’s preseason finale against Jacksonville at Hard Rock Stadium (7 p.m., CBS 4).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
A day earlier, mourners filled the same synagogue for Julia Hyman’s rites.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
31 July 2025
-
Whatever rite of expiration the university in general is going through these days—that of economics and its mistakes are reserved still for the future, because this discipline has refused to understand, let alone concede, that the switch in the monetary system back in the 1970s was a horrible idea.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
The priestly fraternity, named in honor of the anti-modernist Pope St. Pius X, was founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre as a response to liturgical reforms made in the Second Vatican Council (also known as Vatican II).—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The Boise Oñati Dancers will perform a sacred liturgical dance.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Clean sheets appeared on the bed as if by magic, a trick many high-end hotels have forgotten.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The brand recommends laying the topper flat to expand for several hours after removing it from the packaging, but shoppers note that fluffing it in the dryer before use also does the trick.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Hegseth made the announcement ahead of the last weekend of Pride Month, the monthlong observance of the LGBTQ+ community that also coincides with the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising of 1969.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
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At no time were code violations identified, and each report mentions the observance of a capuchin monkey.—
Madeline King,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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