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

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2
as in exercise
something done over and over in order to develop skill a weapons training routine

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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

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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

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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
Quietly depressed, a wife to Reuben (Tracy Letts, Coon’s real-life partner) and mother to Ella (Bella Ramsey) and Jo (Odessa Young), Rita holds a monotonous desk job at a bank by day, and tends to her family by night as part of her humdrum routine. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 In 2011, after returning to Nigeria, Alatise invited Kingham for a visit of several weeks, in what would soon become an annual routine. — Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
At first glance, these may seem like routine administrative questions. — Dave Etling, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 These markers are often included in routine blood testing because elevated liver enzymes may serve as early warning signs of liver injury, inflammation or disease, even before symptoms appear. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 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
  • Riley, who finished with 232 all-purpose yards Friday, provided the jolts early as the Blackhawks used big plays to counter the grind-it-out attack used by Streamwood.
    — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Evans herself asked Starr to put her work through the grind of interpretation.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of grind
Noun
  • They may also be put through an exercise test on a treadmill or stationary bike.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The team conducted dozens of complete exercises at sea, along with demonstrations at the pier.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of exercise
Noun
  • And Oklahoma’s Isaiah Sategna got in on the act with an 88-yard punt return touchdown.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Berry, who died on Monday at the age of 92, lived a life defined by acts of radical abstention.
    — Joe Fassler, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of act
Adjective
  • You literally get paid time to give back during normal work hours.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The catastrophe left Miami’s airport operating with just two of its normal four runways on a busy Labor Day and raised questions about whether the facility needs better equipment to prevent an overshooting aircraft from leaving airport property.
    — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • His two sons attended New York public schools, but Spade says their formal observance of the attacks seldom extended beyond a moment of silence.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Sparks alone has converted 38 of his 94 stores, and the network stands at 155 across 27 states — a base large enough to justify a formal national rollout but small enough that new owners can still test economics store by store.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • But Sunday’s season opener, going up against a Tennessee Titans team now led by Saleh, has a more doomsday feel than usual for the Jets.
    — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Simmons went eclectic, surrounding himself with guest musicians and exploring sounds beyond the band’s usual territory.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of usual
Noun
  • The hotter market for luxury properties comes at a time when the broader housing market remains stuck in a yearslong rut.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Turns out America’s enthusiasm for itself has gone into a bit of a rut—more than 80% of Americans felt proud in 2010, but only 53% feel that way today.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rut
Noun
  • Bowers dominated the Raiders’ defense in training camp, had success against a top Texans unit in their joint practice and is obviously the key to igniting the offense.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The nicest of the quartet, Springfield features a large clubhouse, a beautiful practice area with an oversized putting green and a challenging 6,906-yard course that is hilly, woody and will ask you to hit lots of precise shots.
    — Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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