as in routine
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rut
Regardless, county crews are constantly filling these ruts and encourage drivers to report them.
—
Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
September to mid-October are the best months to catch the annual elk rut, mostly notably in the park’s Mammoth Hot Spring area and around its north entrance.
—Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Break out of your winter style rut.
—Frances Solá-Santiago, InStyle, 25 Jan. 2026
If it should get stuck in the snow, avoid spinning the vehicle’s tires, as the vehicle will only be digging itself into a deeper rut.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rut
Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
September to mid-October are the best months to catch the annual elk rut, mostly notably in the park’s Mammoth Hot Spring area and around its north entrance.
—Laura Kiniry, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Break out of your winter style rut.
—Frances Solá-Santiago, InStyle, 25 Jan. 2026
If it should get stuck in the snow, avoid spinning the vehicle’s tires, as the vehicle will only be digging itself into a deeper rut.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rut
Noun
-
Adding a creatine monohydrate supplement to your routine is the most effective way to increase body and muscle stores of creatine to reap creatine’s health benefits.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Think of it as future-proofing your travel routine—at prices that are too good to ignore.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Don’t put corn husks, coffee grinds, onion peels, peach pits, eggshells, bones, vegetable peels, meat scraps, grease and large amounts of pasta down the drain.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Hustle culture has lost its footing, and younger generations are rejecting the grind without knowing what replaces it.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Afterward, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush to remove grooves.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
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With Carlton, newcomer Aaliyah Crump and sophomore guard Jordan Lee — who's showing signs of getting her offensive groove back — settling into solid support roles, the Horns still have the overall look of a group ready to make a return to the Final Four.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rut. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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