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
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
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Your day-to-day routine is ready for an overhaul, Scorpio.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Fast-forward to today, the best smart fridges blend advanced features, like connecting seamlessly with smart home systems, automating routine tasks, and offering tech that genuinely makes life easier.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for routine
Noun
In a viral TikTok, a dog owner from Los Angeles, California, shows her unusual every day morning routine to take her dachshund on a walk, and internet users can't cope with it.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Your day-to-day routine is ready for an overhaul, Scorpio.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Joe McClash, a former Manatee County commissioner who now publishes The Bradenton Times, dismissed the audit as political theater, arguing that the county’s finances are already open to scrutiny through routine public records and the county’s annual budgeting and auditing processes.
—Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Fast-forward to today, the best smart fridges blend advanced features, like connecting seamlessly with smart home systems, automating routine tasks, and offering tech that genuinely makes life easier.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
Noun
-
Chelsea have mastered the art of the consistent grind.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Raleigh, like most catchers, is getting worn down by the grind of a long season.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the meantime, Sullivan takes care of herself and exercises regularly.—
Mark Gray,
People.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
That may be because exercise helps reduce visceral fat.—
Kristen Fischer,
Health,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As details emerge about the shooting that took the lives of two young students and injured 18 others, so have stories about the heroic acts community members took to protect and help one another.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Investigators probing Wednesday’s deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis continue to search for a clear motive to explain why Westman, 23, committed the act of terror.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
His work at the clinic earned him the Highest Pro Bono Distinction at graduation, which was awarded for working more than 150 extra pro bono hours above the normal course requirements of the clinic.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
That is just 6% of normal rainfall for the month.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Matcha, the ceremonial drink that is now a staple at every hipster coffee shop, comes from select Japanese vendors.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Members of the People's Liberation Army ceremonial guard march in Tiananmen Square after the closing session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, or CPPCC, at the Great Hall of the People on March 10, 2025 in Beijing, China.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While the Irish Open was snubbed from this latest National Open status upgrade wave, the golf-mad nation’s key event remains a highlight on the DP World Tour calendar, with venues that as usual stir a bit of wanderlust among golf travelers.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
In Colorado, the aspens should offer good viewing from September through mid-October, though dry conditions may cause leaves to drop a bit earlier than usual, according to AccuWeather.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In them, Emily Bader can be seen embodying heroine Poppy Wright, a travel writer in a rut, opposite Tom Blyth as the dapper Alex Nilsen, her estranged best friend who leads a high school English class.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Gauff finished the match with an uncharacteristic 33 unforced errors, which ultimately put her in a rut that Osaka took advantage of.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For example, the value of the Dallas Cowboys excludes The Star, the team's 91-acre headquarters, practice facility and commercial real estate.—
Michael Ozanian,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Wednesday night gave them plenty of practice at what that looks like, leaving behind a message after yet another loss that has been echoed too often during this flummoxing stretch.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share