as in routine
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity
I've fallen into a rut, watching television and then going to bed every night
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rut
Weekday Wins If you’re stuck in a cooking rut or tight on time, swap in one of these smart shortcuts to jump-start dinners this week.
—
Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Creatine has been a simple, affordable way to break out of my strength training rut.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 17 Apr. 2026
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
Curtain calls In 1999, a male hippo in rut apparently mistook a passing tractor at a French zoo for a rival and smashed through his enclosure fencing.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rut
Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Creatine has been a simple, affordable way to break out of my strength training rut.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 17 Apr. 2026
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
Curtain calls In 1999, a male hippo in rut apparently mistook a passing tractor at a French zoo for a rival and smashed through his enclosure fencing.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rut
Noun
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The energetic drummer describes his fitness routine and being on the set of the Beatles biopics.—
Kim Willis,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
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If this feels a little too adventurous for your early morning routine, the very good Western breakfast includes eggs, French toast, bakery items, seasonal fruits and juices, albeit with something of a Japanese take.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Three years later, Hendon’s team turned their attention to studying why the microscopic clumps form in the first place, particularly at very fine grind levels.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
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Charlotte prioritizing health and cohesion The months ahead will be spent in the weight room, building toward the daily grind of fall camp, but the foundation was laid this spring.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These screws were made of stainless steel and the head of every screw [had] a pattern of concentric grooves.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
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Moments before the ball was tipped ahead of the Phoenix Suns’ Game 1 trouncing, Dillon Brooks ran his fingers over the grooves of the game ball the way starters tend to.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rut. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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