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
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
Keep an eye on heavy foot and vehicular traffic that can create ruts and low spots, and correct problem areas.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 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
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
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Keep an eye on heavy foot and vehicular traffic that can create ruts and low spots, and correct problem areas.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 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
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
-
Residents' routines are shaped by caution and vigilance, and QueenEr'Re's death revived longstanding questions about safety and the city's efforts to address violence.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Fueled by complacency and our tendency to stick with familiar routines, these threats are becoming more dangerous every day.—
Don Aviv,
Time,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Then use a microfiber cloth barely dampened with water to wipe the fixture clean, making sure to get into any grooves and crevices.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Dogs have no trouble grabbing and holding onto this ball due to the grooves.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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