as in routines
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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Recent Examples of ruts
Regardless, county crews are constantly filling these ruts and encourage drivers to report them.
—
Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Some wagon wheel ruts are still visible.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026
Edwards is the vehicle that often drives their offense and pulls them out of ruts.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
Wet grass can clog your mower, leave ruts in the soil, and raise the risk of lawn diseases.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Then, good teams are able to get out of those ruts faster.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
However, any potholes or large ruts will throw everything off.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Steep hills, ruts and low-traction surfaces were easily navigable.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Meal planning ruts can plague lunchtime, too, after all.
—Alexis Berger, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Some wagon wheel ruts are still visible.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026
Edwards is the vehicle that often drives their offense and pulls them out of ruts.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
Wet grass can clog your mower, leave ruts in the soil, and raise the risk of lawn diseases.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Then, good teams are able to get out of those ruts faster.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
However, any potholes or large ruts will throw everything off.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Steep hills, ruts and low-traction surfaces were easily navigable.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Meal planning ruts can plague lunchtime, too, after all.
—Alexis Berger, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruts
Noun
-
That’s why guys have superstitions and routines.—
Haley Smilow,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
People picked up their brushes (or beauty blenders) and followed their favorite creator's routines step-by-step or used their work as inspiration to perfect the craft.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In frank yet wordy songs that layer guitars and synths over shimmering grooves, Duff sings about trying to overcome old habits and about her fear that her best times are behind her.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The Game Itself After running through those extensive simulations, the results suggest the game involved one player placing four pieces in the grooves against an opponent’s two.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The base of the ski will be prepared with various grinds that respond to various snow conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Don’t put corn husks, coffee grinds, onion peels, peach pits, eggshells, bones, vegetable peels, meat scraps, grease and large amounts of pasta down the drain.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruts. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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