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
Humiliation rituals were driving players away from the game.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The film shifts the focus from traditional narratives of policy and victimhood to the everyday experiences of individuals adapting to a life of constant threat, raising critical questions about whether these safety rituals signify true preparedness or a surrender to violence.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
But because the group’s rituals and oaths were shielded from public view and performed in clandestine sessions in Masonic temples, rumors spread about their activities.
—Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
The Glamour Studio for simultaneous hair, make-up, and nail rituals is sure to be a hit with the highly coiffed residents of the Athenian Riviera.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Of all the Catholic rituals of Holy Week—the Palm Sunday procession; the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, on Holy Thursday; the Way of the Cross, on Good Friday—surely the most striking is the washing of the feet.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
The Osterhare carried with it a set of rituals that took root in Pennsylvania’s German-speaking communities.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
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
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The film shifts the focus from traditional narratives of policy and victimhood to the everyday experiences of individuals adapting to a life of constant threat, raising critical questions about whether these safety rituals signify true preparedness or a surrender to violence.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
But because the group’s rituals and oaths were shielded from public view and performed in clandestine sessions in Masonic temples, rumors spread about their activities.
—Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
The Glamour Studio for simultaneous hair, make-up, and nail rituals is sure to be a hit with the highly coiffed residents of the Athenian Riviera.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Of all the Catholic rituals of Holy Week—the Palm Sunday procession; the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, on Holy Thursday; the Way of the Cross, on Good Friday—surely the most striking is the washing of the feet.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
The Osterhare carried with it a set of rituals that took root in Pennsylvania’s German-speaking communities.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rituals
Noun
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While they are considered apex predators, grizzlies are mostly opportunistic in their eating habits than wolves, Cummings said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The narrators of these songs are trapped inside their habits, aware that the inertia of their personalities is too strong to be moved by another person.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Pitchfork,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To honor his father's military service, Brunson, himself a retired Army vet, can also look forward to playing his trumpet at more local military ceremonies.—
Kim Hudson,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Both the 99th and 100th Oscars ceremonies will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the 99th telecast airing on Sunday, March 14, 2027, followed by the 100th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 5, 2028.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In October, attorneys suing ICE for its arrest practices questioned the now-former head of ICE’s Denver field office about a prior Post analysis of the Berkeley data.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
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Families should consider making a nutritious snack available an hour or so before sports practices so children with that earlier lunch time have energy available to fuel activities.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This redundancy leads to a high margin for error; studies show that customs declarations contain an average of 34 percent errors, causing significant operational disruptions and unexpected costs.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Travelers entering the country with vaping devices may face scrutiny at customs, and items brought ashore from cruise ships can be treated as imports under Mexican law.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
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Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Small visual tricks are ubiquitous yet nothing here feels tacky.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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There are likely between 20,000 and 50,000 species of mycorrhizal fungi, each with its own tricks for tapping into different plants and harvesting nutrients using enzymes, acids, and water-mining structures.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Worshippers can now freely gather at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites for major religious celebrations, including Orthodox Easter and Ramadan observances.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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Easter Monday falls on April 6, 2026, and continues religious observances.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The parties involved in the deal have since been looking for ways to move forward with the sale, including considering plans to add a Chinese investor to the consortium.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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There are ways of pointing this out without explicitly blaming her.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rituals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rituals. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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