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 ceremonial
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
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Recent Examples of routine
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Dancing with the Stars returns next week for Halloween Night, where the nine remaining couples will spook and delight viewers with their routines.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk have missed routine unchallenged headers in the box, and Dominik Szoboszlai saw a shot blocked on the line by Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for routine
Noun
As the routine twirled to a close, Olivia ran back, embracing her older brother to thunderous applause.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Dancing with the Stars returns next week for Halloween Night, where the nine remaining couples will spook and delight viewers with their routines.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk have missed routine unchallenged headers in the box, and Dominik Szoboszlai saw a shot blocked on the line by Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
Noun
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Since her husband's death, Kirk hasn't disappeared from public life, mixing grief with the grind of front-facing work.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
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But clarity about time’s value doesn’t require the perspective of final days — only the courage to step outside the grind long enough to see what matters.—
Arianna Huffington,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The major muscles worked in this exercise are the quads, glutes, hamstrings, hip flexors (muscles at the front of the hip), and calves.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
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Choosing the right backpack for all your specific travel needs is not a one size fits all exercise.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This act would make daylight saving time permanent and end the bi-annual tradition of changing the clocks.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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The film’s tonal balancing act — mixing absurdist humor with Anderson’s trademark intensity — seemed obviously comedic to casual awards observers, and the filmmakers, along with studio awards strategists, felt similarly.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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One commenter shared with OP that this behavior is normal and that kids can often switch their preference between parents.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Having never worked at a place that wasn’t a scam center, the more experienced among them came to see their jobs as normal.—
Snigdha Poonam,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rooney, founder of the nonprofit organization Folds of Honor, was on hand Friday at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock and hit the ceremonial first tee shot to kick off the Simmons Bank Championship for the second consecutive year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Oct. 2025
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Horror seems cathartic, or psychically protective—a safe ritual that admits the reality of violence and cruelty while also warding it off, like a ceremonial demon mask.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The team's usual coach, JP MacCallum, took time off after his 10-year-old daughter, Selah, died of cancer, per Marchand's Instagram post.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Blank sailings have only gotten more prevalent as ocean carriers aimed to stop months of declines in freight rates after a softer-than-usual peak shipping season.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Edwards is the vehicle that often drives their offense and pulls them out of ruts.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Oct. 2025
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The next time you’re stuck in a career rut, or wondering how to process the economy around you, why not ask Ray Dalio?—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Denver has a pair of young prospects on their practice squad in Patrick Murtagh and Caleb Lohner, a seventh-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, but Denver has been seeking more experience at the position.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
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Plus, your purchase also supports the brand’s sustainable cotton sourcing initiative that promotes betting farming practices and protects the environment for extra peace of mind.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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