Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun ritual

3 senses of ritual

Sense 1
ritual, rite -- (any customary observance or practice)
       => custom, usage, usance -- (accepted or habitual practice)

Sense 2
ritual -- (the prescribed procedure for conducting religious ceremonies)
       => practice, pattern -- (a customary way of operation or behavior; "it is their practice to give annual raises"; "they changed their dietary pattern")

Sense 3
ritual -- (stereotyped behavior)
       => habit, use -- ((psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; "owls have nocturnal habits"; "she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair"; "long use had hardened him to it")

Similarity of adj ritual

2 senses of ritual

Sense 1
ritual -- (of or relating to or characteristic of religious rituals; "ritual killing")

Sense 2
ritual -- (of or relating to or employed in social rites or rituals; "a ritual dance of Haiti"; "sedate little colonial tribe with its ritual tea parties"- Nadine Gordimer)