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
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The funerals often last multiple days and rituals can involve washing the body and sitting with or sleeping beside the corpse.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 May 2026
Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
Connection, ritual, spirituality, friendship, and community may become protective.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
Each following June, Kvaratskhelia would repeat the ritual, plucking the early growers from the tree.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The funerals often last multiple days and rituals can involve washing the body and sitting with or sleeping beside the corpse.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 May 2026
Adjective
The guru-chela relation formalizes their identity in a castelike structure and includes ritual elements such as formal initiation and renaming.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
Connection, ritual, spirituality, friendship, and community may become protective.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
-
College football has a habit of romanticizing the past in ways that don’t match the actual results.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
This is especially true this month, as the astro-weather challenges everything from your friendships and group dynamics to your day-to-day habits and emotional boundaries.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Before the ceremony began Thursday, Ricardo joined his mother and brother in their Sunday best outside the arena.—
Gregory Royal Pratt,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Ali was doubly surprised because the mailers went out to voters just a few weeks after Waters attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Centennial High School campus.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Chula Vista does not need a ceremonial campus.—
Christos Korgan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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On Monday, Lemieux was honored at Montreal’s Bell Centre, carrying a ceremonial torch onto the ice before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final between the Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The lens widened further to embrace categories of practice not conventionally regarded as art, most prominently, craft; here, too, the art establishment focused on textiles and ceramics engaged with an existing modernism, as opposed to the 1970s focus on regional and communal networks.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Thursday’s practice at Halas Hall was open to reporters, offering an opportunity to put the magnifying glass over a handful of key topics.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
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With Hillary Dawa alone on the world’s tallest mountain in perilous conditions for so long, his family had already begun funeral rites for him.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims’ bodies, which clash with local burial rites.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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The Vatican authorized Esperanto for liturgical use decades ago, and Radio Vaticana still publishes news and papal updates in Esperanto online three times a week.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
And are there any tips and tricks for planning and executing the perfect anti-aging trip?—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
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Since Hathaway's viral video, people have posted themselves doing her trick, sometimes to shocking results.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Supporters frame the observance as recognition of traditional family structures, while critics say the timing and language amount to political counterprogramming that excludes LGBTQ+ families.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
The annual observance is recognized with parades, community events and commemorations.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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