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
For older kids who have trouble adjusting to the demands on the school year, plenty of time to wind down after school and a predictable morning routine are key. — Parents, 17 July 2026 Among the secrets to her physical fitness and energy is a simple but consistent routine that combines exercise, socializing, and fun. — Francesca Martinengo, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
Adjective
While a Tribune analysis of health inspection data found that more than a dozen local restaurants were cited for pest issues over the past month, the CDPH’s food safety inspection team said the findings are relatively routine. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 Changes in food, water, and routine while traveling can throw your digestive system off, leading to problems like bloating or travelers’ diarrhea. — T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 17 July 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
  • Located near Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park allows visitors to escape the daily grind of urban life and immerse themselves in nature.
    — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
  • In a country built on perpetual grind (westward expansion, the machismo of the highway), the motorcycle distills that promise to its essence.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of grind
Noun
  • In 2021, Brouillette pursued a certification to become a professional firefighter through a program at Southern Maine Community College, which required both academic classes and field exercises, according to court documents.
    — Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • During the exercise, crews loaded 500-pound BDU-50 and 2,000-pound BDU-56 practice bombs onto the aircraft before releasing them over the Mountain Home bombing range.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
Definition of exercise
Noun
  • Today, anti-Muslim acts are still being committed against Muslims.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • The character’s remorse and disgrace become a pivotal part of the movie’s third act, which ends almost entirely differently than Homer’s nearly 3,000-year-old tome.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of act
Adjective
  • The oil flow out of the Strait of Hormuz is by no means back to normal.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • The physical and mental effort that Bellingham has put himself through at this tournament is not normal.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Washington responded by turning its assurance into a formal guarantee, though one signed as an executive order a successor can revoke.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Anderson’s neighbors, Matt and Laurel Nelson, needed to meet that threshold to move the case to a formal hearing on their complaint against the county manager.
    — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • The 2026 edition of IFFM will present its usual slate of films, conversations and cultural programming spanning Indian cinema’s various languages and regional traditions.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • But again, since Christopher Nolan’s films don’t follow the streaming release strategy that most other Universal films do, Peacock subscribers are in for a longer wait than usual before the film makes its SVOD on the platform.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of usual
Noun
  • Joe, a former musician, is stuck in a creative rut, while Angela is obsessively trying to fill the growing distance between them.
    — Emily Zemler, Architectural Digest, 10 July 2026
  • Neptune retrograde in Aries commences on this day, urging us to break out of our emotional and professional ruts and to reignite our dreams.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of rut
Noun
  • In March, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned on X that oil refiners and corporations engaged in price-fixing would be held accountable, vowing to deploy all lawful measures against unethical business practices.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Even with this practice, there should be an effort, if possible, to avoid training or competition during the hottest times of day.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on routine

Nglish: Translation of routine for Spanish Speakers

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