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
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Viewers tend to refer to anchors like Savannah Guthrie, Robin Roberts and Gayle King by their first names and regard watching them as part of a morning ritual.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Yet many now think of it as a wasteful ritual requiring compliance to petty rules.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
Amid an ongoing court battle over clergy access to the west suburban ICE facility, Catholic ministers entered the building and, in the traditional Holy Thursday ritual, washed the feet of 14 detainees.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Viewers tend to refer to anchors like Savannah Guthrie, Robin Roberts and Gayle King by their first names and regard watching them as part of a morning ritual.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The Egyptians under the Ptolemaic dynasty (305–30 bce) appear to have associated this belief with ritual practice.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Yet many now think of it as a wasteful ritual requiring compliance to petty rules.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
-
Hosta’s spreading habit complements the elegant, upright shape of hydrangeas.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Cox expects gas prices will need to be inflated for six months or more for any notable increase in consumer buying habits for EVs, officials said during a call on March 25.—
Sam Meredith,Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Before the game, the Kings honored retiring captain Anze Kopitar with a ceremony recognizing his 20-year career.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The maiko dances and serves matcha in a tea ceremony, combining two of the most popular activities in town without ever having to leave the hotel.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jack Hughes and Aerin Frankel, who helped lead the Team USA men’s and women’s hockey teams to gold medals at the Winter Olympics, threw out the ceremonial first pitches at Friday’s game.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Ramesses rung the ceremonial bell to kick off the Sixers' game.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The school's practices allowed people to get massage therapy licenses without finishing the required training, according to TDLR.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Turner added that the conditions Kaiko was in were the direct result of backyard breeding practices that prioritize profit over animal welfare.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
-
One of the nation’s oldest and most respected high school baseball showcases, the Lions Tournament has been a rite of spring in San Diego for decades.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Kimbell show foregrounds how these works were used in the devotional and liturgical life of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.—
Sarah Kozlowski,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The community is guided by a liturgical calendar, which Prince explains makes every day feel like a sacred moment.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Old dog learns new tricks UConn forward Alex Karaban, who played on the 2023 and ’24 champions, is attempting to become the first non-UCLA player to win three national championships.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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The brain bug's intrinsic ick factor is undeniably high, but using their proboscises to suck thoughts directly from the brains of their unfortunate victims is a pretty neat party trick.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Markets will be closed Friday in observance of the Good Friday holiday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The stock market is closed tomorrow in observance of Good Friday.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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