1
: the use of memory usually with little intelligence
learn by rote
2
: mechanical or unthinking routine or repetition
a joyless sense of order, rote, and commercial hustle—
L. L. King
L. L. King
: the noise of surf on the shore
Synonyms
Examples of rote in a Sentence
Noun (1)
learned the rote for the exercise warm-up but not the reasoning behind it
Recent Examples on the Web
Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
Traditional tests that require rote memorization fall short in evaluating AI-era skills.
—Beata M. Jones, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Harsh Singh, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
So why does this Last Dance feel so impersonal, so rote, so step-by-step predictable?
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rote 
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.
Noun
Given the weird psychology that drove the antagonists in the earlier films — a crazed lady taxidermist and then a psychopathic thespian, respectively — the villains’ thirst for riches here seems a little rote, while the use of El Dorado as a device just piles cliché on top of triteness.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
Traditional tests that require rote memorization fall short in evaluating AI-era skills.
—Beata M. Jones, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Just as calculators taught us to prioritize conceptual understanding over rote calculation, AI can encourage us to prioritize creativity, critical analysis and problem-solving over the mechanical aspects of knowledge.
—Harsh Singh, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
So why does this Last Dance feel so impersonal, so rote, so step-by-step predictable?
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rote
Dictionary Entries Near rote
Cite this Entry
“Rote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rote. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rote
1 of 2 noun1
: the use of memory usually without thinking about it
learn by rote
repeat something by rote
2
: something done time after time in an automatic way or without thinking
rote
2 of 2 adjective1
: done or learned by rote
rote learning of multiplication tables
a rote phrase
2
: done or carried out without engaging the mind or feelings
rote duties
ask a rote question
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share