1
as in habits
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
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2
as in ceremonies
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rituals
The small rituals of a concert crowd make a show feel shared.
—
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Based on the true legend of the founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers, the film traces the life of Lee, who after losing four children in infancy, became celibate and created a religious movement based in music and dayslong dance rituals.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Strange rituals conducted by children unfold on the beach; dance parties at the big club devolve into fever dream bacchanals; cryptic, threatening symbols appear near the rental house.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of thousands of people from Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, travel to Saudi Arabia annually for Umrah rituals, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Holistic wellness touches are now front and center, with many resorts offering post-race cryotherapy, nutrition counseling, hydrotherapy circuits, and spa rituals focused on muscle recovery.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
This manifests in the form of rituals that are often more private and secretive than those of mainstream Shi’a Islam, scriptures in addition to the Quran, and the belief in tajyeel—reincarnation.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
Yet its cultural mores and culinary ways remain distinct, often revolving around religious rituals and special days on the Hindu calendar (Panchangam) used by Hindus globally to schedule festivals and rituals based on solar and lunar cycles.
—Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
That’s because for some, the driver for an eating disorder has less to do with body image and more to do with sensory hypersensitivity or the need for rigid eating rituals.
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Based on the true legend of the founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers, the film traces the life of Lee, who after losing four children in infancy, became celibate and created a religious movement based in music and dayslong dance rituals.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Strange rituals conducted by children unfold on the beach; dance parties at the big club devolve into fever dream bacchanals; cryptic, threatening symbols appear near the rental house.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of thousands of people from Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, travel to Saudi Arabia annually for Umrah rituals, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Holistic wellness touches are now front and center, with many resorts offering post-race cryotherapy, nutrition counseling, hydrotherapy circuits, and spa rituals focused on muscle recovery.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
This manifests in the form of rituals that are often more private and secretive than those of mainstream Shi’a Islam, scriptures in addition to the Quran, and the belief in tajyeel—reincarnation.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
Yet its cultural mores and culinary ways remain distinct, often revolving around religious rituals and special days on the Hindu calendar (Panchangam) used by Hindus globally to schedule festivals and rituals based on solar and lunar cycles.
—Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
That’s because for some, the driver for an eating disorder has less to do with body image and more to do with sensory hypersensitivity or the need for rigid eating rituals.
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rituals
Noun
-
Jupiter Direct emphasizes the value of consistent, small habits, rather than momentary, flash-in-the-pan type efforts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
-
At the same gas station, Republican-leaning Tyler Nepple, 23, said the price of gas for his Toyota Tacoma may shape his vote in the midterm elections this fall but won't change his driving habits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Most years, the Writers Guild holds simultaneous ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Local Kiwanians organize events like the Hippity Hop Easter Egg Hunt; Kiwanis Special Games; monthly trail cleanups; backpack, clothing and holiday drives; scholarship and awards ceremonies; student leadership programs; and the Holiday Market.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the lawsuit, Live Nation and Ticketmaster are accused of engaging in a variety of anticompetitive practices, including locking venues into long-term exclusive ticketing contracts and retaliating against rivals and venues that seek to use alternatives.—
Josh Sisco,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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In July 2025, Delfin signed agreements with three communities along the Marañón River to restore and replant 425 acres of land degraded by clear-cutting and harmful agricultural practices.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The last step to claiming your refund is the most important—a stamp from customs or electronic validation at a kiosk.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
They should be returned to the importer of record — whether that is a small business directly or a customs broker or carrier clearing goods on its behalf.—
Sara Albrecht,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What makes the piece even more precious is that, in addition to Elizabeth, as many as 62 more children of the royal family have worn it for their own baptismal rites, including Charles and Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Their burial places were viewed as offering protection to the community, and they were honored like saints with festivals and religious rites.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Other royals allegedly have their own tricks—like Princess Kate, who’s said to use a clutch bag to avoid endless handshakes.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
-
One of my best tricks of the trade?—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Though distinct in their own right, the observances intersect on many levels.—
Ernesto Fonts,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
-
It's often viewed as a time for celebration and revelry and the final burst of excitement before the solemn observances of the Easter season.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Small ships like this one remain one of the most effective—and intimate—ways of accessing the twists and turns of the Amazon Basin, allowing vessels to moor in remote riverine communities and forests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers from the Texas Center for Superconductivity (TcSUH) and the University of Houston (UH) have achieved a breakthrough that could lead to newer ways of generating, transmitting, and storing energy.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rituals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rituals. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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