as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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 rite The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence. —
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026 From the rite of spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewa l… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026 From the rite of Spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album ‘Easter’ gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. —Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026 From the rite of spring to easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rite
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026 From the rite of spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewa l… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026 From the rite of Spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album ‘Easter’ gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. —Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026 From the rite of spring to easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rite
Noun
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Former Canadiens captain Yvan Cournoyer entered the Bell Centre from that plaza holding a torch, walked it into the building and the arena bowl, setting off the Canadiens’ traditional playoff ritual of the ice catching fire, and the building roared.— Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
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This year’s Kentucky Derby will be Buttleman’s 31st as the official bugler at Churchill Downs, and over the years, the musician has developed a pre-race ritual.— Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The winning creators won’t need to attend a ceremony.— T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
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The parties and the protests The dinner, which will be televised live by CNN and other channels, is the centerpiece of the weekend’s social calendar, surrounded by more than a dozen brunches, ceremonies, receptions and late-night parties.— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/rite. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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