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
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Recent Examples of rite
Before his death, Francis opted for simplified funeral rites in a break from historical tradition.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Cardinal Roger Mahony, the retired Archbishop of Los Angeles, is among a group of nine cardinals and a small number of priests and bishops set to take part in the rites which will include the pope’s burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
An Overview of the Ceremony 6 hr 59 min ago
The funeral Mass, presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will begin at 10 a.m. local time on Saturday and end around 2 p.m. and include a choir, readings, prayers and communion, among other rites.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Conclusion of Mass Final rites: Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rite
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Cardinal Roger Mahony, the retired Archbishop of Los Angeles, is among a group of nine cardinals and a small number of priests and bishops set to take part in the rites which will include the pope’s burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
An Overview of the Ceremony 6 hr 59 min ago
The funeral Mass, presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will begin at 10 a.m. local time on Saturday and end around 2 p.m. and include a choir, readings, prayers and communion, among other rites.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Conclusion of Mass Final rites: Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rite
Noun
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After Mosey was accused of rape, Bruny urged him to partake in a Haitian rum-bath ritual; when Mosey was acquitted in March 2023, Bruny told him the voodoo gods had taken a hand in the verdict.—
Amy Kaufman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
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For in this ritual, there is no veil between life and death.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Meghan and Prince Harry first tied the knot in May 2018 in an ornate ceremony at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
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For the second year in a row, some students have used their graduation ceremonies as a platform to protest against Israel’s conduct of the war.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rite. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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