ritualistic
adjective
rit·u·al·is·tic
ˌri-chə-wə-ˈli-stik
-chə-ˈli-;
ˌrich-wə-
1
: of, in accordance with, or characterized by the use of ritual: such as
a
: relating to or done as a ceremony or rite
a ritualistic dance
For Rick, the clincher came in 2001, when he discovered 20 identical trumpets, made from a type of conch shell … . The trumpets were highly decorated, indicating a ritualistic use.—Michael Brooks
Ritualistic language (such as the oyez, oyez, oyez or hear ye, hear ye, hear ye that opens a court session) separates legal proceedings from ordinary life, marking them as being special and important.—Peter Tiersma
b
: done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol
… made the ritualistic visits to polling places, making a last-minute bid for support in this intense and important contest.—Jeanne Meserve
c
: of, relating to, or being an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner
The repetitive nature of online tasks—checking e-mail, searching for data, sending replies—has a soothing, ritualistic quality.—Maia Szalavitz
2
: stressing the use of ritual forms : adhering to or devoted to ritualism
… the structure held ritualistic significance that spanned several historical eras before the arrival of the Spanish.—Christopher Parker
We can look at Stonehenge not only to envision the ancient, ritualistic people who built it, but also to imagine a version of ourselves closer to nature … according to Wisser.—Jed Oelbaum
Cite this Entry
“Ritualistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritualistic. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.
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