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 formal
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules the routine procedure for filing a complaint with the board
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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
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 routine
Noel Brennan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 Enterprises that can survive the many hurdles the state government produces may find national business upheaval just part of the routine. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026 The company said its primary care arm, Amazon One Medical, is launching a GLP-1 management program that integrates obesity treatment into routine care. —Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for routine
Noun
After all these years, she's used to the routine along the Des Plaines River. —Noel Brennan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 Enterprises that can survive the many hurdles the state government produces may find national business upheaval just part of the routine. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
An employee conducting routine maintenance at a Tokyo theme park reportedly died after becoming trapped for an extended period inside the mechanism of an attraction ride. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026 The company said its primary care arm, Amazon One Medical, is launching a GLP-1 management program that integrates obesity treatment into routine care. —Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
Noun
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There are 12 specific grind settings, plus intermediary settings between them.— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
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And yet … two things tend to translate, historically, from the regular season to the playoff grit and grind.— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The system engaged multiple drones during the exercise, demonstrating reliable lethality in a realistic operational environment.— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
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Masayoshi Arai, chief of staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, said the army has suspended live-fire exercises using Type 10 and Type 90 tanks that use the same shells while officials investigate the cause and other details of the accident.— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jimmie Fowlie and Ceara O’Sullivan’s script relies on formulaic coming-of-age beats before drifting unexpectedly into absurdism in the third act.— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
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The filing alleges Hayes fired without warning and that Avery did not pose an immediate threat, was not advancing toward anyone, and was not engaging in any violent act at the time.— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Calls to the ships’ operators outside normal working hours either weren’t answered or weren’t immediately returned.— Julian Lee, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
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Sanoja has primarily played third base this season, with seven of his nine starts coming there, but his last two starts came in center field on Thursday (to give normal starter Jakob Marsee his first day off from the field) and left field on Friday.— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The service At the health clinic, in the restaurants, and throughout the property, the service is deferential and fastidious without being overwhelmingly formal.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
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With four stories and 35 rooms, Joslyn has opulence built, inlaid, and planted in every corner, from its carriage house tower to its gold drawing room and five acres of formal estate gardens.— Jacqueline Kehoe, Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Gunther's Ice Cream remained open as usual on Saturday following a fire that happened just outside the Sacramento staple.— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
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Many of you might be more involved than usual with a parent.— Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His numbers may look ordinary (15 points on 5-of-13 shooting) but those two spot-up 3s and beautiful baby-jumper pullup that kissed off the glass got San Antonio out of an offensive rut.— Christian Clark, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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Creatine has been a simple, affordable way to break out of my strength training rut.— Jenna Anderson, Health, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Princess Elizabeth, far left, was pictured with the rest of the Challenge Cup swimming team ahead of practice at the Bath Club in 1939.— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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Mapping that terrain is a social practice.— Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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