1
as in grind
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity
part of my morning routine is drinking a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
1
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events
this is just a routine inspection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules
the routine procedure for filing a complaint with the board
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in usual
often observed or encountered
the movie is a routine thriller that has little to recommend it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of routine
Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025
Everyone knows January is a time to reset your routine, organize your home, and ensure a strong beginning to the new year.
—Rachel Trujillo, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025
Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2025
Investigators blame, in part, a chronic staff shortage going back at least five years that has impeded routine security checks at the Richland County jail and forced staff to monitor several units at once.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for routine 
Noun
Alternatively, just incorporating morning stretches into your routine will work wonders.
—Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025
Everyone knows January is a time to reset your routine, organize your home, and ensure a strong beginning to the new year.
—Rachel Trujillo, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
One reservoir had been taken down for routine maintenance, which had some effect on the water system, but that wasn’t a managerial failure, just an unfortunate coincidence.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2025
Investigators blame, in part, a chronic staff shortage going back at least five years that has impeded routine security checks at the Richland County jail and forced staff to monitor several units at once.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
Noun
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Their past two games, an overtime loss at next-to-last-place Minnesota and an overtime win against Northwestern, point to the grind that awaits in league play.—
Austin Meek,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said the team will carefully monitor the injury but acknowledged playing through discomfort is part of the NBA grind.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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To learn more about how sitting affects the body, and why these exercises are important, read our first piece in the series.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2025
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Regular physical exercise increases blood flow to the brain, promoting new neural connections and reducing cognitive decline risk.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The British viewed the Boston Tea Party as an act of treason and retaliated with punitive measures that would ultimately lead to conflict.—
Joe Minihane,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
-
This is foreshadowed by a rip-roaring introduction that has the sounds of musical acts spanning generations bleeding into one another in a segment that Questlove says took almost a full year to complete.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Trump has now frozen swathes of federal grant and loan spending under a broad review of costs to tackle waste, though as normal for the time being.—
Shane Croucher,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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Book is nonetheless confident that the Trust will be able to maintain its normal operations, for now at least.—
Michael Wilner,
Miami Herald,
29 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
-
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
Adjective
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Lately, 17-year-old Chewie's health has been deteriorating, which Ripa has been heartbreakingly honest about on the morning show, but on Tuesday, the dog seemed her usual perky self, Ripa said.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
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Chappell Roan This year’s category is, as usual, stacked with some questionable math on the definition of a new artist.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Celtics have consistently dominated opponents with Luke Kornet on the court, even during this rut, but his additional opportunities take away from Hauser’s chances.—
Jay King,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
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Advertisement Stubbornly high readings on inflation and a run of better-than-expected updates on the U.S. economy have sent Wall Street into a weekslong rut, pulling it further from the dozens of all-time highs set last year.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Hurts, who was limited in Wednesday's practice and a full participant Thursday, is expected to be ready for the game.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near routine
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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