as in rituals
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation
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Recent Examples of rites
The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.
—
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
One of the central pillars of the American dream is becoming increasingly decoupled from the other key rites of adulthood.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Of these, Anglicans traditionally hold only baptism and the Eucharist as sacraments instituted by Christ and regard the others as sacramental rites.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
What makes the piece even more precious is that, in addition to Elizabeth, as many as 62 more children of the royal family have worn it for their own baptismal rites, including Charles and Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
—Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
Their burial places were viewed as offering protection to the community, and they were honored like saints with festivals and religious rites.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
The weavings were reserved for use in royal courts, during funerary rites or for other important ceremonies.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Russia wants to swallow Ukraine, even though both nations share Orthodox rites.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
One of the central pillars of the American dream is becoming increasingly decoupled from the other key rites of adulthood.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Of these, Anglicans traditionally hold only baptism and the Eucharist as sacraments instituted by Christ and regard the others as sacramental rites.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
What makes the piece even more precious is that, in addition to Elizabeth, as many as 62 more children of the royal family have worn it for their own baptismal rites, including Charles and Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
—Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
Their burial places were viewed as offering protection to the community, and they were honored like saints with festivals and religious rites.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
The weavings were reserved for use in royal courts, during funerary rites or for other important ceremonies.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Russia wants to swallow Ukraine, even though both nations share Orthodox rites.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rites
Noun
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In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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Some of the movie is an acid satire of pre-wedding rituals — like the first dance that Charlie and Emma are dutifully rehearsing for, with a ridiculously stern taskmaster of a coach.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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When Argentina hosted in 1978, the military junta that had taken power two years earlier staged elaborate ceremonies as markers of the country’s stability amid growing evidence of violent political repression.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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But the hotel offers plenty of experiences to get to know the area, from countryside tours in a vintage VW convertible to blessing ceremonies at one of Ubud’s oldest sacred sites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As these annual observances continue, some may be wondering if Holy Week celebrations are (or have ever been) federally recognized holidays.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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In some modern Jewish congregations, contemporary afflictions and forms of oppression are incorporated into Passover observances alongside the traditional biblical plagues.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rites. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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