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
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
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Recent Examples of routine
Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2026
What appeared to be an Irish folk dancing group practiced a routine.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
The source said the owners aren’t meddling in routine day-to-day operations.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for routine
Noun
The product also feels like a natural fit for Birkenstock, enforcing the idea of a full foot care routine.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2026
What appeared to be an Irish folk dancing group practiced a routine.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The program was created by Congress to help quickly protect nationals of countries that, as a result of natural or man-made disasters, were dangerous for people to return to, with routine reevaluations to decide if the protections would be extended or ended.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
The source said the owners aren’t meddling in routine day-to-day operations.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for routine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for routine
Noun
-
Three years later, Hendon’s team turned their attention to studying why the microscopic clumps form in the first place, particularly at very fine grind levels.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Charlotte prioritizing health and cohesion The months ahead will be spent in the weight room, building toward the daily grind of fall camp, but the foundation was laid this spring.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Smith uses community-building exercises and state Capitol visits to encourage critical thinking and civic engagement.—
Holly Ramer,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But what an opportunity this group has to provide more than just a damage limitation exercise.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The jury also found that Esperanza-Pacheco committed a forcible lewd act upon a child during the commission of a first-degree residential burglary, prosecutors said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This act of contrition is legible in East Asia, but slightly awkward when performed by Western actors.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sneaky Jon Cooper The Bolts showed their normal forward lines in pregame warmups, but then had other ideas once the puck dropped Friday night.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
All need normal care to become established, are freeze resistant and make durable plants for the landscape.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The dress code was white tie—known as the most formal dress code in the United States.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities say a homicide investigation that began in 1973 has now been brought to a formal close, more than a half-century after a woman was found dead in a Northern Virginia state forest.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Flick was aware of what lay in store for his team and asked them to play a more pragmatic game than usual.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As the Moon moves through your 5th House of Creativity, your voice carries more impact than usual.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Vucan said young players were in a psychological rut and were experiencing, for the first time, the intense pressures of varsity high school baseball.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Royals have been working to get out of a losing rut in the 2026 season.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hooper is a 31-year-old free-agent addition, Woerner is not a threat in the passing game and Simon has been a practice-squad player throughout his time in Atlanta.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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