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
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Recent Examples of routine
Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 14 May 2026
Shake up your rice routine with this delicious rice-and-noodle pilaf.
—Lucinda Scala Quinn, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026
Holly McDede, ProPublica, 12 May 2026
What’s critical—and often overlooked—is that these physiological changes can begin with something as seemingly routine as a doctor’s visit that ends without clarity.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for routine
Noun
Gungor says beginning with a lower dose before gradually increasing is the best way to introduce lemon balm into your nighttime routine.
—Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 14 May 2026
Shake up your rice routine with this delicious rice-and-noodle pilaf.
—Lucinda Scala Quinn, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026
Adjective
The student told her doctor during a routine physical that Agan had touched her lower back, according to a summary of the complaint.
—Holly McDede, ProPublica, 12 May 2026
What’s critical—and often overlooked—is that these physiological changes can begin with something as seemingly routine as a doctor’s visit that ends without clarity.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
Noun
-
The youngster was making his second appearance for his new club, against AEK Larnaca back in October, and a grind of a Conference League group game was still level.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
In some ways, the grind from rookie minicamp to OTAs to training camp somewhat mirrors his own journey.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Though the longest hitters in the game are finding ways to pick up more speed every year — either through equipment changes or exercise regimens geared toward explosiveness — those same players are trending in the opposite direction in accuracy.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
An exercise log can help with consistency.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
But as the debate gains national attention, more families argue that acknowledging biological differences is not an act of hatred.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
The act, the first piece of legislation focused on crypto, would add oversight and guardrails to the new industry.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
That means less cement per meter—on this bridge roughly 40% less concrete—while still reaching normal strength.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
One patient retained normal core disgust reactivity but could no longer recognize disgust in others’ faces; another with anterior insula damage showed dysregulation in both producing and experiencing disgust.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Referees rarely do this work, receive no formal training, and know the exercise is as much guesswork as judgment.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
Authorities announced in April that a homicide investigation dating back to 1973 was brought to a formal close, more than a half-century after a woman was found dead in a Northern Virginia state forest.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The irony is that Ashby was the stand-in for France’s usual wing trimmer, the British sailor Leigh McMillan, who is still recovering from an injury at the Auckland SailGP event in February.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
But Brunson, as usual, was sublime, wrong-footing the 76ers over and over with his staccato moves and magnetized shots.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
For most of last Saturday’s draw, San Diego looked like a team ready to climb out of its springtime rut.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
At the climax, the music, seemingly stuck in a digital rut, comes to a halt as a static image of Charli is busted through by a bunch of young men seemingly bringing a mosh pit out into the open.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
After the high ankle sprain and torn ligaments, she was cleared to return to practice in three months.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
-
In the first two years under Canales, the Panthers have only had two QBs on the active roster and have kept an additional one on the practice squad — the team opting to use the additional game day slot for an extra lineman, or defender, or someone who can contribute on special teams.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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