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
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2026
In the video, Guthrie is in her bedroom inside her Tucson, Arizona home, guiding her daughter, Savannah, and her Today show colleagues through her daily bed-making routine.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Mar. 2026
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Counties didn’t get routine hearings before the oil and gas commission and Colorado courts ruled that state laws preempted local ordinances.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for routine
Noun
This atmosphere favors uncomplicated, consistent routines.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2026
In the video, Guthrie is in her bedroom inside her Tucson, Arizona home, guiding her daughter, Savannah, and her Today show colleagues through her daily bed-making routine.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Experts say hydration and a basic routine matter more than viral in-flight skincare trends at 35,000 feet.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Counties didn’t get routine hearings before the oil and gas commission and Colorado courts ruled that state laws preempted local ordinances.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
Noun
-
Winning across 20 seasons — through rules changes, car evolutions, team dynamics and the physical toll of the Cup Series grind — is something else.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The domestic grind teaches players to make decisions faster, defend space and quickly reset when moves break down.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The facility would include three swimming pools, exercise rooms, gymnasiums, and a walking and jogging track.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The brief was to combine fresh air and exercise in the day with great meals with friends in special places in the evening.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This inquiry was taken not as a matter of idle curiosity but as an act of insubordination.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Ahead of the festival, which kicks off Thursday, the De Los team has assembled a list of acts that have caught our attention.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Their parents are shocked to see the couple living their normal lives covered in cameras.—
NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
If sadness or mental fog rolls in, that’s normal.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The City Council’s Rules Committee endorsed Wednesday moving all four of those measures one step closer to the November ballot and having the city attorney’s office craft formal ballot language.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The rally followed a recent fact-finding process—a formal step in labor negotiations—which took place last Monday and Wednesday, during which union leaders said the district ended discussions early.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Zendaya first sparked wedding rumors last month when she was spotted with a gold band in place of her usual rock, though fans were unsure if the actor had simply turned her ring towards her palm or switched to a simpler ring to keep the real one safe.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs are now embarked on their 40th anniversary tour, which should make their show here even more celebratory than usual.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wet soil is also prone to compaction from the weight of the mower, which may leave ruts in the yard.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Recent weeks have shown that Emery remains fond of Watkins and is determined to keep playing the 30-year-old England international through a rut in form.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Green thinking underpins every practice at Hotel Maria - from the energy-efficient lighting right through to recycling programs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
These professionals are responsible for advising farms and agribusinesses on eco-friendly practices.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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