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

Vietnamese eating is really about the preparation ritual and connection. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026 These days, my hair-loss treatments are somewhere between clinical protocol and beauty ritual. — Polly Blitzer, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026

Adjective

In 2024, Stewart described her sweet morning writing ritual with her then fiancée in a Rolling Stone profile. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026 Beliefs and practices Hoodoo consists of ritual procedures designed to encourage the supernatural or spirit world to assist the living. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ritual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ritual

Noun

Experts suggest role modeling moderation, such as eating produce and protein—and a treat here or there, too—can also help a child build truly healthy and sustainable eating habits.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 22 Aug. 2026
Anyone with a scrolling habit will know that social media can be a soothing place for the downbeat and lonely.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of habit

Noun

The Vienna ceremony this summer honored nine Holocaust victims at eight different sites where each family told its own story.

— David Pollak, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs is scheduled to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at the historic theater, marking a major milestone for a project that began the first phase of construction in 2011.

— LaMonica Peters, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of ceremony

Adjective

Local officials posed around the giant baby blue ceremonial check, applauding as the mayor positioned it on an easel in view of the television cameras.

— Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Trump in his second term has increasingly seemed to focus on relishing the presidency’s ceremonial aspects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of ceremonial

Noun

Selling minority stakes in sports teams is nothing new, but the practice has become more common.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The finalist images document the consequences of overfishing and bycatch, the impact of pollution on marine mammals and the killing of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands, a practice known as grindadráp.

— Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of practice

Noun

Many of its rites can be performed by anyone, but there have often been individuals with a special aptitude for and knowledge of these practices.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Emergency workers brought out a coffin and loaded it onto an ambulance, which will transport them to their hometown for funeral rites.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of rite

Adjective

Paintings, liturgical objects and the clothes of a notable 18th century Spanish count were among the other items removed from the monastery.

— Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
The Cupichs attended a parish where mass was celebrated in Latin (the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council were yet to come) but the sermons were spoken in Croatian.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

Definition of liturgical

Noun

Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s route to the final, opening his World Cup with a hat-trick against Algeria and scoring in each of his team’s matches up to and including the round of 16.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
The key manufacturing trick was direct ink writing, a form of 3D printing.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Rabbi Josh Joseph of the Orthodox Union said many Jewish religious practices are tied to sunrise and sunset, which determine prayer times and observances.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
The festival occurs alongside Rohan Posh, a cultural observance on the same day.

— Umar Farooq, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of observance

Browse Nearby Words

rites

ritual

ritualistic

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Style

“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ritual. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ritual

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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