RITUAL Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

ritual 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ritual

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

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

ritual

2 of 2

adjective

as in ceremonial

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ritual

Noun

The Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to transfer papal power if a Pope dies or resigns. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 14 Oct. 2026 The debate over whether cover letters had become an outdated ritual was already in full swing before the proliferation of artificial intelligence. — Julia Carpenter, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Created with his wife Nkuthazo Alexis Dyalvane, the work incorporates cow hair, leather and grass, influenced by ritual adornments, reflecting ancestral knowledge, healing and spiritual transformation. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 The ritual hum of leaf blowers fires up in the fall and marks the change in season as much as vibrant leaves falling from the trees. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ritual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual

Noun

These platforms aren’t necessarily focused on helping consumers build healthy financial habits to build long-term wealth; instead, they’re primarily focused on engagement and dopamine.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Many longtime residents have developed habits to calm their minds during these exceptional conditions — meditation, a dip in the ocean to trigger the calming mammalian dive response, support groups to talk through the pain.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of habit

Noun

An Air Force service member died Saturday after a rappelling accident during a pregame ceremony at the Alamodome ahead of the University of Texas at San Antonio's football game against Navy.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
Billy Jones Way was unveiled during a ceremony on Sunday, on the corner of Bedford Avenue and Broadway in Brooklyn, just down the street from Baby’s.

— Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of ceremony

Adjective

Near the end of the event in August, ceremonial shovels stuck into the earth shone in the sun behind Williams.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
One is infused with heirloom damask roses, while the other boasts ceremonial-grade matcha from Uji.

— Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of ceremonial

Noun

Larsson has missed practice time and the final three preseason games because of his illness, and Smith missed the entire preseason after straining his calf during training camp.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Russia has also publicly acknowledged the drone attack on a refinery and broadcast images on state media, breaking with its usual practice in order to play up the incident.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of practice

Noun

At that time, the Catholic Church banned funeral rites and burial on consecrated grounds for those who died by suicide.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Cremation is an important final rite in the Hindu tradition and performing the ceremony even without a body provides a sense of spiritual release for some families.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rite

Adjective

Along with the album, U2 released two surprise EPs this year, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, that turn out to be conceptually linked to the new album via the liturgical calendar, with carnival preceding Lent and Easter.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
For seventeen years, graduation season had carried a liturgical cadence for him.

— Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of liturgical

Noun

On White Cane Awareness Day, an annual observance celebrating the achievements and independence of visually impaired individuals, Darnes and more than 50 other veterans received a free pair of Meta smart glasses.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Dedicated to empowering Black Philadelphians Philadelphia Martyrs Day is an annual observance that pays homage to the five Philadelphia men who fought for Black suffrage and were killed in the 1871 election.

— Timothy Welbeck, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of observance

Browse Nearby Words

rites

ritual

ritualistic

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ritual

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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