1
as in habit
a usual manner of behaving or doing
her morning ritual is to enjoy a bracing cup of coffee while reading the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ceremony
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
a ritual that the ancient peoples of that country believed would bring rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in ceremonial
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ritual
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2026
Combining Chef Nitzkowski’s kaiseki sensibilities with the storied elegance of Waldorf Astoria New York, this service offers a distinctive way to celebrate seasonal flavors, Japanese craftsmanship and the timeless ritual of afternoon tea.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Whether that destination is enough to justify the journey may depend on how strongly the play’s world of ritual, language and faith resonates.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
But as dubious therapies and unsettling postcolonial rituals blur the line between wellness and manipulation, Alexa begins uncovering the disturbing forces hidden beneath the retreat’s seductive façade.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2026
Combining Chef Nitzkowski’s kaiseki sensibilities with the storied elegance of Waldorf Astoria New York, this service offers a distinctive way to celebrate seasonal flavors, Japanese craftsmanship and the timeless ritual of afternoon tea.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
In partnership with Target, The Hair Edit launched its inaugural hair care ritual, featuring shampoo, conditioner, oil serum, a hair mask and leave-in conditioner.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Whether that destination is enough to justify the journey may depend on how strongly the play’s world of ritual, language and faith resonates.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
-
Harbaugh plans to run a grueling training camp to try to better prepare the Giants for their early season games, but reversing a decade-plus of bad organizational habits and starts might take time.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 6th House of Daily Routine, bringing a useful insight around schedules, wellness, work habits, or the way your day is structured.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The wedding ceremony took place beside a cobblestone ledge at the foot of a waterfall on the Tennessee property.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Catilin Clark is just starting her third WNBA season, and she is already being honored for a big career achievement in a pregame ceremony.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Guests may also enhance their experience with matcha lattes or traditional ceremonial matcha for an additional fee.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
As of last month, the county was aiming to have a groundbreaking or ceremonial event for the square and tree in July as part of the 250th anniversary festivities, with plans to start construction after and complete the project in 2028.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Eco effort The hotel employs single-stream recycling and green housekeeping practices, and also has a green roof ecosystem to reduce the building’s heat load.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday told lower courts to take another look at a pair of cases involving whether private individuals and groups can sue to enforce a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that prohibits discriminatory voting practices.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
He was visited by a priest on Monday, May 4, who performed the last rites.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Rifling through the outdoor lot, where books are arranged by price on open metal shelving, is a Boston rite of literary passage.—
Cameron Sperance,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Leo presided over the service sitting off to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his hands.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Although the pope celebrates mass regularly on Sundays, feast days, and many other occasions, the Urbi et Orbi blessing is much rarer, reserved for solemn events in the church’s liturgical calendar.—
Leo XIV,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Winston makes a cameo to execute another electric Ford Field trick play, and the Giants lose a close one with their offense starting to find a new gear.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Sophisticated as chatbots’ responses may be, they are stitched together from statistical patterns in large datasets—an impressive trick but one that still falls short of the breadth and reliability in human-level clinical reasoning.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The Black Wall Street Rally also returns to Greenwood that weekend, with speakers, panels, and community programming connected to Greenwood Rising’s Juneteenth observances.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 May 2026
-
State offices are closed Friday, May 8, in observance of Truman Day.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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