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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ritual
Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
The Catholic faithful across the country could now participate in the American ritual of cheering for their football team on Saturday, while also attending the global ritual of Mass on Sunday.
—Hunter M. Hampton / Made By History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
Greg Wehner, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2025
Advertisement The festival is a series of ritual baths by Hindu sadhus, or holy men, and other pilgrims at the confluence of three sacred rivers that dates to at least medieval times.
—Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ritual 
Noun
As for his personality, Appiah had a different handshake ritual with each of his 27 teammates and also with coach Champenois.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025
The Catholic faithful across the country could now participate in the American ritual of cheering for their football team on Saturday, while also attending the global ritual of Mass on Sunday.
—Hunter M. Hampton / Made By History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
An ancient structure uncovered on the eastern slope of the City of David inside Jerusalem Walls National Park is believed to have been used for ritual practices during the time of the First Temple, according to a new study.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2025
Advertisement The festival is a series of ritual baths by Hindu sadhus, or holy men, and other pilgrims at the confluence of three sacred rivers that dates to at least medieval times.
—Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ritual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual
Noun
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Instead, several scenes are given over to her wacky habit of posting too much info on Facebook.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2025
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From the data, researchers noted that different factors played a part in how successful habit forming was.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The ceremony is happening in the wake of ongoing, devastating wildfires raging across Southern California.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2025
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Also slated to participate in the tributes at the awards ceremony are Brad Paisley, Janelle Monáe, Lainey Wilson, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, St. Vincent, Jacob Collier and Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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His duties won’t be simply ceremonial and an opportunity to use the Brady name, image and likeness to go along with seven Super Bowl rings.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2025
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Proclamations, according to the Library of Congress, deal with the activities of private individuals and today tend to be more ceremonial in nature.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
TIME,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The union believes some of the company’s health care proposals are unlawful and amount to unfair labor practices.—
Judith Kohler,
The Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2025
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That issue cropped up during the company's normal practice of transferring official White House social media accounts to new control when a presidential administration changes, the company said on Wednesday.—
Katie Paul,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While the Gregorian calendar is used worldwide for official purposes such as government and business, many holidays, festivals and other celebrations and rites still follow traditional lunisolar calendars.—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2025
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Their voices rang out during the rite of the opening of the doors and filled the air with music as the cathedral's doors swung open with a burst of song for the first time in five years.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Episcopal Church is a Protestant denomination that shares similarities with the Catholic Church, such as in its liturgical practice and parts of its hierarchy.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA TODAY,
23 Jan. 2025
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Advent is the start of the Christian church's liturgical year.—
Joyce Orlando,
The Tennessean,
29 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The trick for both actors was playing the multiple levels without getting too technical and playing things dishonestly as a result.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2025
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It’s never been easier to learn grooming tips and tricks.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In a nationwide first, schools across New York are closed on Wednesday in observance of the Lunar New Year.—
April Rubin,
Axios,
29 Jan. 2025
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Is Citibank open on Inauguration Day? Citibank, which operates roughly 650 banks in 13 states, will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ritual
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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