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
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Recent Examples of ruts
Mow a different direction each time the lawn is cut to avoid ruts in the turf.
—
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Before the roads west of town were paved in 1936, reaching the lake meant navigating ruts, mud bogs and chugholes.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Wheel ruts and aboveground turf damage can become a problem, too, when the lawn mower is turning in the same place repeatedly.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
Finch put his finger on the trouble during one of the regular-season ruts, identifying a moodiness that gets in the way of the type of surgical execution of game plans that the defending champion Oklahoma City and now San Antonio can consistently lean on.
—CBS News, 16 May 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
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
Boise’s 200-plus miles of Foothills trails are largely in clay-heavy soils, which means use during wet weather in the winter can leave gouges and erosion that dry and harden into deep ruts.
—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
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Before the roads west of town were paved in 1936, reaching the lake meant navigating ruts, mud bogs and chugholes.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Wheel ruts and aboveground turf damage can become a problem, too, when the lawn mower is turning in the same place repeatedly.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
Finch put his finger on the trouble during one of the regular-season ruts, identifying a moodiness that gets in the way of the type of surgical execution of game plans that the defending champion Oklahoma City and now San Antonio can consistently lean on.
—CBS News, 16 May 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
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
Boise’s 200-plus miles of Foothills trails are largely in clay-heavy soils, which means use during wet weather in the winter can leave gouges and erosion that dry and harden into deep ruts.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruts
Noun
-
Once Venus enters Leo, all of that romantic momentum moves towards your daily duties and self-care routines.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
Throughout the testing period, participants recorded how their skin looked and felt, then rated each cream across key factors, including texture, absorption, overnight hydration, and compatibility with existing routines.—
Jenny Berg,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Todd’s upcoming album builds upon the grooves of his previous work but feels more honest than past releases.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The invention that Edison brought into the offices of Scientific American also used sound vibrations to make a needle vibrate—in his case, by digging grooves into a strip of tinfoil or paper that was embossed with wax.—
Ron Cowen,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Tableside dishes are a highlight, including a seasonal classic Greek salad and mouthwatering whole branzino baked in a coffee-grinds and sea-salt crust, then expertly deboned and served to perfection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
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In a measuring cup or small bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, chives, dill and garlic powder; season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper.—
Emily Weinstein,
Twin Cities,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruts. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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