ROTE Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

rote 1 of 2

noun

ˈrōt

Definition of rote

as in routine

an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity learned the rote for the exercise warm-up but not the reasoning behind it

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rote

2 of 2

adjective

as in usual

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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 rote

Noun

Nothing is done by rote in such a sophisticated operation, after all, and the results reflect at least some elements of emphasis. — Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026 Both governments still mouth the old slogans, by rote. — Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Her way of dealing with the ensuing guilt is to track down the families of the other victims and apologize on her son’s behalf, which, on paper, makes for a fascinating approach to grief, but proves rote and repetitive in execution. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Sep. 2026 The framework gained popularity as systems of education seemed to over-indulge rote memorization. — James Davis, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rote

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rote

Noun

The Sun enters your 6th House, beginning a month focused on routines, responsibilities, health, work, and the systems that keep everything moving.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
Elective care is now part of the commercial landscape, giving residents additional options for their personal wellness routine.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of routine

Adjective

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of usual

Adjective

Minutes from the April 19 meeting outlined how the government opted for just one round of readiness checks before launching its emergency vaccination program due to time constraints, instead of the typical four rounds.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Such moves are typical of presidential hopefuls from both parties seeking to bolster their alliances nationwide.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of typical

Adjective

That could create an unusual situation in which an ordinary consumer turns on a feature built into a mainstream device and, at least technically, runs afoul of state law by using it during a private conversation without everyone's consent.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Annie Palmer, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
Spanish scientists have developed an experimental type of self-disinfecting cotton fabric, which is activated via ordinary white light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordinary

Adjective

It’s reflected in the visuals of the series, which are as unimaginative as the AI actor renders are dead and inexpressive even before they’re shot through with Tokugawa-era arrows.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Spurs kept a clean sheet, an achievement to build on after shipping five in their opening two, and looked solid, if a little unimaginative in midfield.

— Elias Burke, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of unimaginative

Adjective

Those changes seem to be linked to metabolic shifts, among them reductions in the load of glucose, the body’s standard fuel, which is produced mostly from carbohydrates.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Politics, as was still possible on plenty of stages a decade and a half ago, is the spice added to the deeply standard meat and potatoes of its structure.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of standard

Adjective

With stimulus checks gone and student loan payments back, Maggiulli suggests the drop may partly be a return to normal.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
In both cases, people with pre-existing hypertension experienced bigger drops in systolic and diastolic pressure than those with normal blood pressure.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of normal

Browse Nearby Words

rotations

rote

rotes

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Style

“Rote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rote. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rote

noun

adjective

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