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
Relevance
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 ruts
Regular theme-parkgoers may find themselves in ruts, making favorites their top priority while avoiding others out of habit.
—
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Those ruts become a potential hazard for trail users and are difficult to repair.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Wet soil is also prone to compaction from the weight of the mower, which may leave ruts in the yard.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The England international credited Emery with giving him greater robustness to find a way out of ruts.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
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
However, any potholes or large ruts will throw everything off.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Those ruts become a potential hazard for trail users and are difficult to repair.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Wet soil is also prone to compaction from the weight of the mower, which may leave ruts in the yard.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The England international credited Emery with giving him greater robustness to find a way out of ruts.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
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
However, any potholes or large ruts will throw everything off.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruts
Noun
-
These words are the first step to building long-term routines that genuinely work for all collaborators.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The vans serve about 190 students, many of whom rely on strict daily routines.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In another part of the factory, a worker used a wooden stick, like a tongue compressor at a doctor’s office, to scrape excess bits of explosive out of the grooves inside each shell, ensuring that the base would screw on smoothly.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The album’s more frenetic tracks lean further toward the uncanny, developing chimeric grooves that brim with unresolved tension.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Finish with a few grinds of black pepper and serve.—
Nancy Vienneau,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and several grinds of fresh pepper.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruts. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
