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
Relevance
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
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 rituals
In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.
—
Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Some of the movie is an acid satire of pre-wedding rituals — like the first dance that Charlie and Emma are dutifully rehearsing for, with a ridiculously stern taskmaster of a coach.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Other highlights include a spa steeped in ancient Roman thermal rituals and an extravagant ballroom for events.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Cultural and Religious Significance Pickling’s role extended beyond culinary practices, becoming intertwined with religious and cultural rituals.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Being taught society’s standard eating rituals, so as not to disgust others by violating them, was certainly a useful part of ordinary child-rearing.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Blending traditional rituals with modern themes, Temple Judea’s women’s Passover Seder drew 300 local women including several female rabbis, cantors and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who is the county’s first Jewish mayor.
—Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
With over a decade as a performance artist and photographer working in theaters across India, Balasubramaniyam’s work draws from the folk traditions, performance practices, and tribal wedding rituals of southern India’s Dravidian communities.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2026
Many are used as shrines for meditation and rituals and are visited by tourists and pilgrims.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Some of the movie is an acid satire of pre-wedding rituals — like the first dance that Charlie and Emma are dutifully rehearsing for, with a ridiculously stern taskmaster of a coach.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Other highlights include a spa steeped in ancient Roman thermal rituals and an extravagant ballroom for events.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Cultural and Religious Significance Pickling’s role extended beyond culinary practices, becoming intertwined with religious and cultural rituals.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Being taught society’s standard eating rituals, so as not to disgust others by violating them, was certainly a useful part of ordinary child-rearing.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Blending traditional rituals with modern themes, Temple Judea’s women’s Passover Seder drew 300 local women including several female rabbis, cantors and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who is the county’s first Jewish mayor.
—Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
With over a decade as a performance artist and photographer working in theaters across India, Balasubramaniyam’s work draws from the folk traditions, performance practices, and tribal wedding rituals of southern India’s Dravidian communities.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2026
Many are used as shrines for meditation and rituals and are visited by tourists and pilgrims.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rituals
Noun
-
For Sacramento residents like Isabelle Fama, 24, the steady increase in fuel costs has led her to change certain habits over the last month.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When Argentina hosted in 1978, the military junta that had taken power two years earlier staged elaborate ceremonies as markers of the country’s stability amid growing evidence of violent political repression.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But the hotel offers plenty of experiences to get to know the area, from countryside tours in a vintage VW convertible to blessing ceremonies at one of Ubud’s oldest sacred sites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The film directed by Vivian Sorenson and Jonathan Nastasi invites viewers to reevaluate the current American food system which has achieved massive scale, delivery of cheap calories to consumers and immense profits to mega corporations but at the expense of healthy food and sustainable practices.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Sessions span multiple yoga styles (vinyasa, yin, restorative, kundalini), meditation practices, breathwork, sound healing, personal development workshops, outdoor mindfulness experiences and Yoga Nidra before bedtime.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Attempts at policing enjoyment led to the suppression of longtime carnival customs.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The customs officer began speaking to me very fast and pointing—the translator scribbling down notes all the while.—
Jeremy O. Harris,
Vanity Fair,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of the central pillars of the American dream is becoming increasingly decoupled from the other key rites of adulthood.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Tiffany has a few tricks up its sleeve that aren’t jewelry or limited-edition chronograph, one of which is this shapely teapot.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe the tricks learned during this trial can help drivers form some better, cheaper habits to continue when gas prices inevitably decrease again.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Passover is among the observances most central to Jewish life.—
Brian Siegal,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Religious observances filled the calendar; Sri Lanka has more holidays than almost any other country.—
Eranda Jayawickreme,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The best science fiction shows us new ways to see our lives and our times by showing us how both might be otherwise.—
Stephanie Burt,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Those are just some of the ways in which the three elements have become critical for modern manufacturing, including for defense.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rituals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rituals. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
