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
Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 5 July 2025
The holiday is celebrated with a Seder, a ritual feast including symbolic foods and the reading of the Haggadah.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 July 2025
From navigating narrow aisles to honoring the sacred quarter-for-a-cart ritual, shopping at ALDI is a uniquely communal experience.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Noun
Its design appears aligned with the solar equinox, suggesting a ritual function.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 5 July 2025
The holiday is celebrated with a Seder, a ritual feast including symbolic foods and the reading of the Haggadah.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Adjective
Dinosaurs performed mating rituals similar to some modern-day birds.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 July 2025
From navigating narrow aisles to honoring the sacred quarter-for-a-cart ritual, shopping at ALDI is a uniquely communal experience.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
-
The United States has tried repeatedly to wean itself off immigrant employment, but cheap labor is a tough habit to kick.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
-
This formula/habit/trend does not typically occur across the pond, so shortening 'Edgware Road' to 'Edgware,' does pose an issue.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
On July 15, the group announced Asia’s 50 Best Bars at a live awards ceremony in Macau, and once again, Bar Leone in Hong Kong took the top spot.—
Kevin Gray,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
From the A-list actors who were passed over to the Cinderella stories of the season, campaigning is sure to heat up before the Sept. 14 ceremony.—
William Earl,
Variety,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Secretary of State Henry Kissinger sat just behind home plate alongside baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, and he was tasked with throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
-
Princess Kate wore a red cape dress to the ceremonial welcome in London for the president and first lady of the Republic of Korea on November 21, 2023.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
This was a common practice in British rule, as seen with the Irish tenant farmers, as well as in Great Britain’s dominant involvement in the slave trade.—
Tanya Talaga
July 24,
Literary Hub,
24 July 2025
-
The act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, prohibited discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes that disqualified many African Americans from voting in the post-Civil War era South.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
The Bishop of Des Moines asked the Roman Catholic priest to conduct the rite of exorcism on 46-year-old Emma Schmidt (played by Abigail Cowen) in Earling, Iowa.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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The Eleusinian Mysteries, the annual rite honoring Demeter that was performed in Greece for nearly two thousand years, climaxed with the consumption of a potion called the kykeon, which was said to give participants visions of the afterlife and enable them to commune with their ancestors.—
Michael Pollan,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Lent is the 46-day liturgical season that precedes the holiday of Easter, which commemorates the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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These policy drafts were circulated within the bishop's staff and liturgical committees but have not been published.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
The universe is playing tricks on you this week, Scorpio, especially in relation to career matters, your public persona or situations involving authority.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
13 July 2025
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Watch the creative process first-hand and learn the tricks of the trade that bring DC’s characters to life.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The shrine has been designated as a pilgrimage site in the Diocese of Gary’s observance of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
United States stock markets will be closed Friday, April 18, in observance of Good Friday.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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