1
as in ruts
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
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 routines
Uranus in your 6th House of Work can disrupt plans or routines without much warning.
—
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
The result is closer to a private members club that happens to be a place to stay—a refreshing alternative for the frequent Paris traveler eager to remove themself from the tourist crush and keep up their own work and fitness routines.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
People have also voiced concerns about the risk of the facility setting on fire, increasing tax bills, producing noise and having negative visual impacts that could disrupt neighbors’ routines, among others.
—Sofi Zeman
may 2, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
Their conversations became more frequent, stretching from photography to personal reflections, daily routines and shared philosophies.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
The laundry suite is placed to make routines easier, while the owner’s suite is designed as a true retreat with generous space and storage.
—Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 6th House of Work and Wellness, shaking up routines, systems, and daily habits.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Melissa Horner’s inconsistent presence in the home seemed to upset her son’s routines.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha ripped late-night comedians Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert over their routines this week for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
—Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
The result is closer to a private members club that happens to be a place to stay—a refreshing alternative for the frequent Paris traveler eager to remove themself from the tourist crush and keep up their own work and fitness routines.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
People have also voiced concerns about the risk of the facility setting on fire, increasing tax bills, producing noise and having negative visual impacts that could disrupt neighbors’ routines, among others.
—Sofi Zeman
may 2, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
Their conversations became more frequent, stretching from photography to personal reflections, daily routines and shared philosophies.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
The laundry suite is placed to make routines easier, while the owner’s suite is designed as a true retreat with generous space and storage.
—Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 6th House of Work and Wellness, shaking up routines, systems, and daily habits.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Melissa Horner’s inconsistent presence in the home seemed to upset her son’s routines.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha ripped late-night comedians Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert over their routines this week for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
—Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routines
Noun
-
Those include sites like Bonneville Point – where emigrants got their first glimpse of the Boise River Valley and trail ruts can be seen – and Three Island Crossing State Park, named for the most crucial and challenging river crossing in the state.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, tilling wet soil can do more harm than good by creating dense soil layers and deep ruts.—
Nora Doonan,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Chair Yoga is a type of yoga that is modified to allow participants to perform all exercises seated.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
The 3-by-5 strength training protocol involves choosing 3–5 exercises, doing 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps, and resting for 3–5 minutes in between.—
Jenessa Connor,
Health,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The volume was loud – at least one listener’s ears were ringing four hours after the concert ended – but Springsteen’s is one of the few rock acts whose music literally demands such auditory excess (most groups use volume to mask mediocrity).—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As next acts go, showcasing art and craft in a 15th-century Venetian palazzo is an audacious—and romantic—plan.—
Asad Syrkett,
Architectural Digest,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In interviews, representatives of some companies told me about their algorithms’ abilities to reveal patterns that impressions alone cannot.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
In a city, the faintest stars disappear, leaving only the brightest patterns.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Wanda Enos Bachelor is on the board of the Indigenous Futures Society, which advocates for Indigenous ecological practices that were erased during the gold rush.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Tung also offered advice for consumers seeking to avoid unknowingly supporting such practices.—
Jay Ganglani,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Write down your thoughts, and then build habits to make this personal constitution come alive.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Your daily routine, work environment or even your mental habits could feel slightly off today.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is perfect for a small household that just needs enough grinds for one pot of coffee at a time.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After using your coffee maker, clean the basin where the grinds go as well as the coffee pot using warm, soapy water.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After months of toiling over the build, the supplier facility produced a version of the product, but on the back of the display, 35 grooves were installed instead of 25.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dry the tracks thoroughly afterward to prevent grime from caking into the grooves.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Routines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routines. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
