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
League sources have told The Denver Post that Gordon is eager to play and help the Nuggets out of a rut, but the team has been proceeding with extra caution.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
Nothing cures a style rut quite like a little color blocking.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Young Americans are taking the lead in one of the boldest attempts to break homebuilding out of its 50-year productivity rut.
—Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
The ice that’s needed for curling is different from the glass-smooth surfaces needed for hockey or figure skating, and trying to curl when a stone can easily get caught in a leftover skating rut on the ice can be really frustrating, Camarena says.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rut
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
Nothing cures a style rut quite like a little color blocking.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Young Americans are taking the lead in one of the boldest attempts to break homebuilding out of its 50-year productivity rut.
—Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
The ice that’s needed for curling is different from the glass-smooth surfaces needed for hockey or figure skating, and trying to curl when a stone can easily get caught in a leftover skating rut on the ice can be really frustrating, Camarena says.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rut
Noun
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Leo July 23 – August 22 This atmosphere favors uncomplicated, consistent routines.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
For a company built around celebration — Fourth of July backyard shows, wedding sendoffs and bursts of color in the sky — the routine has become an uneasy one.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Winning across 20 seasons — through rules changes, car evolutions, team dynamics and the physical toll of the Cup Series grind — is something else.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
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The domestic grind teaches players to make decisions faster, defend space and quickly reset when moves break down.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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It's helped to have Christian Braun and Cam Johnson finding a groove.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
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But the show, a spin-off based on the 2009 live comedy-action flick of the same name, could never fully commit to the cool, funky groove voice actors Michael Jai White and Tommy Davidson comfortably established each episode.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rut. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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