routine 1 of 2

noun

rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
Definition of routinenext
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
as in exercise
something done over and over in order to develop skill a weapons training routine

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in act
a performance regularly presented by an individual or group did a tired routine that's been around since the days of vaudeville

Synonyms & Similar Words

routine

2 of 2

adjective

rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of routine
Noun
While Bündchen clearly had a post-workout dip in the water on her mind while getting dressed, the look translated well to her exercise routine. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026 Experts on adolescent sleep and media use are pointing to specific ways screen time reshapes stress hormones, mental health and nightly routines. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Challenger disaster By 1986 the Apollo program had been replaced by the space shuttle, a name indicative of how almost-routine space travel had become. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 The policy requires officers to activate cameras during routine enforcement activities, including while making arrests, executing search warrants and responding to emergencies. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
  1. grind
  2. exercise
  3. act
  4. normal
  5. formal
  6. usual
  7. rut
  8. practice
Noun
  • As a senior leader or mid-level executive tired of the grind, consider the massive opportunity hiding in plain sight.
    — Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Harbaugh liked how his team responded on Thursday to the grind.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of grind
Noun
  • If several hours of television or scrolling through social media are taking the place of exercise, in-person social interactions, reading or other mentally stimulating activities, that’s not ideal for brain health.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Rivera showed strong power and artistry in her exercise, but struggled with endurance on her final tumbling pass.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of exercise
Noun
  • While investigations into their death continues, experts say there are indications that some of the influencers did have relationships with criminal organizations and were killed as acts of reprisal by rival factions.
    — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • After working for more than a decade in club music’s trenches, the brothers now aspired to be not merely DJs, but a dance-music act known for spectacular live performances.
    — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of act
Adjective
  • This figure has already exceeded the European Commission's estimate for annual wildfire losses across the entire European Union in a normal year.
    — , CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Since military prototypes often undergo multiple design revisions, such modifications are considered a normal part of the aircraft development process.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • The framework the surgeons built around it required formal disclosure of the atlas's origin to readers, to surgical teams, and to patients, along with bioethicist review and a memorial to the people depicted.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Iran’s government holds annual formal ceremonies in Tehran to honor their memory.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • Moore’s frayed, full-volume, Barbie-pink ball gown with a distressed bow was a break from her usual structured looks.
    — Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Warming the roof of the mouth—for example, by pressing the tongue against the palate or drinking a room-temperature beverage—can hasten recovery from brain freeze by allowing blood vessels and sensory nerves to return to their usual state.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of usual
Noun
  • Now is your chance to break out of a rut to be authentic and bold on your terms.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 27 July 2026
  • The plot involves Brian trying to get out of an emotional and psychological rut by volunteering to be a drug-sniffing dog for the local police force.
    — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
Definition of rut
Noun
  • And while the Falcons were forced to head to their buses sooner than anticipated, their hour-plus practice brought multiple explosive plays from running back Bijan Robinson and another glimpse at key position battles.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • But Nussmeier’s success on the practice fields of Missouri Western State, the Chiefs’ training camp site, doesn’t hold a candle to the NFL stage.
    — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of practice

Browse Nearby Words

routeways
routine
routinely
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Cite this Entry

“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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