1
as in grind
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity
part of my morning routine is drinking a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
1
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events
this is just a routine inspection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
the routine procedure for filing a complaint with the board
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in usual
often observed or encountered
the movie is a routine thriller that has little to recommend it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of routine
Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Farmers markets are another constant in my routine.
—Hannah Howard, Midwest Living, 15 Jan. 2026
Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026
According to authorities, state probation officers made a routine home visit to Gibson’s residence on March 6, 2024, and allegedly found an unapproved cellphone that contained a dark web application.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for routine
Noun
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.
—Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Farmers markets are another constant in my routine.
—Hannah Howard, Midwest Living, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The discovery of the potential Salmonella contamination came after routine testing by a third-party laboratory.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026
According to authorities, state probation officers made a routine home visit to Gibson’s residence on March 6, 2024, and allegedly found an unapproved cellphone that contained a dark web application.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
Noun
-
This model is new to Amazon this month and comes with 35 different grind settings and brewing method options for espresso, French press, and pour-overs.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Most people have experienced the maddening grind of trying to fix a billing mistake, appeal an insurance decision or schedule a medical appointment, only to be pulled into a maze of forms, portals and hold music.—
Nitin Ware,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Different exercises train different brain skills, but resistance training may be one of the best ways to protect your overall brain health.—
Marisa McMillan,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Kettlebell Squat Squats are another energy-demanding exercise that primarily targets your major leg muscles like your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves, while also engaging your core for stability.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The prosecutor's office said a 16-year-old boy from Sayreville was arrested and charged with acts of juvenile delinquency which if committed by an adult would constitute murder, weapons charges and armed riot.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
And when unlawful acts are committed, hold individuals accountable.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This single fine is close to the normal total of $8 million to $10 million in all fines that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hands out each year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Trump, as is his want, is just doing the normal thing without the usual white niceties that come with imperialist machinations.—
Elie Mystal,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The entertainment rooms can serve as places to enjoy cocktails and billiards (both villas feature Steinway & Sons grand pianos), the dining rooms feel cinematic without being too formal, and the bedroom suites favor comfort rather than flashiness.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
City leaders say the rules are needed because Rocklin currently has no formal regulations in place to monitor or enforce mobile vending activity.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As usual, Coon thrives in ambiguity, layering a seemingly straightforward woman with depth.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As a result, Musick elected to bench her usual rotation for much of the second half.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
All of this is taking place as the box office is in a rut, cable is in free fall and the overall economy is teetering.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
31 Dec. 2025
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During an early-pandemic baking rut, Rucker, who owns Los Angeles’s Fat + Flour bakeries, was inspired to streamline her process, and skip the usual step of creaming butter and sugar together.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
His parents recalled playfully hitting him with pool noodles during his progressions, a routine that eventually drew in a growing group of neighborhood kids for daily practices.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Legal observers often attend police actions to document and monitor law enforcement behavior − a common practice used by activists from the Black Panthers in the 1960s and 1970s to Northern Ireland during The Troubles.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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