routine 1 of 2

noun

rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
Definition of routinenext
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
as in exercise
something done over and over in order to develop skill a weapons training routine

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in act
a performance regularly presented by an individual or group did a tired routine that's been around since the days of vaudeville

Synonyms & Similar Words

routine

2 of 2

adjective

rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Noun
She was then joined by the rest of the cast, who ended the routine with a sweet group hug. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026 But getting wearables into more Americans’ health care routines will require both a way to pay for those tools and the wireless infrastructure to support them. — Megan R. Wilson, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Public health experts said the fact that measles was accepted as routine in the 1960s doesn’t mean it should be accepted now. — Nicholas Florko, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026 But all of them, including one of the park’s owners, said the alerts seemed routine. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
  1. grind
  2. exercise
  3. act
  4. normal
  5. formal
  6. usual
  7. rut
  8. practice
Noun
  • Rodney also framed the trend as a backlash against the past decade’s grind and her own generation’s infamous tendency to work themselves to the bone.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Coach Kirby Smart cited his old standby, the grind of the SEC schedule.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of grind
Noun
  • The Society for Integrative Oncology’s guidelines for Complementary Therapies and Botanicals, of which Cohen is himself a co-author, cover mainstream supportive care such as exercise, medical massage, biofeedback, and yoga.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Known as the Special Intensive Revision, the exercise has, according to the protestors, resulted in more than 130 million voters being removed from electoral lists.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of exercise
Noun
  • Later, in 1711, the colony passed a legislative act to make reparations to the victims, including restoring the good names of the accused and paying financial retributions to the families of the accused.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The rush from the other 29 teams to acquire him would be quite literally hilarious, because trading Ohtani would be an act of financial suicide for LA and a massive windfall for a new team.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of act
Adjective
  • It's shot up from less than $97 at the start of the month on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Menopause is the normal part of a woman’s aging process that marks the end of her reproductive years.
    — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • His death comes in the third week of IDHW’s formal monitoring of the 2026-27 flu season.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
  • OutKick had attended all 13 formal press conferences during the first three Finals games without being called on.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of usual
Noun
  • Hunt the Rut The very best time to hunt from the ground is when the rut is at its peak.
    — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The housing market has been stuck in a rut this year in large part because of rising mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting homebuyers’ purchasing power and prompting many to put off buying a home.
    — Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of rut
Noun
  • The latest push to end the practice began in June after an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after jumping from a runaway carriage.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Act, which has been introduced to the Senate but not yet been enacted into law, seeks to establish a program for the active remediation of orbital debris as well as requiring the development of uniform orbital debris standard practices.
    — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of practice

Browse Nearby Words

routeways
routine
routinely
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Cite this Entry

“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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