ritualistic
adjective
rit·u·al·is·tic
ˌri-chə-wə-ˈli-stik 
-chə-ˈli-;
ˌrich-wə-
1
: of, in accordance with, or characterized by the use of ritual: such as
a
: relating to or done as a ceremony or rite
a ritualistic dance
For Rick, the clincher came in 2001, when he discovered 20 identical trumpets, made from a type of conch shell … . The trumpets were highly decorated, indicating a ritualistic use.—
Michael Brooks
Michael BrooksRitualistic language (such as the oyez, oyez, oyez or hear ye, hear ye, hear ye that opens a court session) separates legal proceedings from ordinary life, marking them as being special and important.—Peter Tiersma
Peter Tiersma
b
: done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol
Bush made the ritualistic visits to polling places, making a last-minute bid for support in this intense and important contest.—Jeanne Meserve
Jeanne Meserve
c
: of, relating to, or being an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner
The repetitive nature of online tasks—checking e-mail, searching for data, sending replies—has a soothing, ritualistic quality … .—Maia Szalavitz
Maia Szalavitz2
: stressing the use of ritual forms : adhering to or devoted to ritualism
We can look at Stonehenge not only to envision the ancient, ritualistic people who built it, but also to imagine a version of ourselves closer to nature … according to Wisser.—Jed Oelbaum
Jed OelbaumExamples of ritualistic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Testimony this week in Carroll County included accusations of withholding evidence; discussions of Odinism and ritualistic killings; and whether additional suspects should be on trial for the 2017 murders of eighth graders Libby German and Abby Williams.
—Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Aug. 2024
Both of these projects promoted ultraviolence, demonic Satanism, ritualistic torture, and pedophilia.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 1 Aug. 2024
Inside the multi-level museum, visitors can read Indonesian poetry on the walls, watch a documentary capturing the ritualistic magic of Nyepi, and view traditional Balinese calendars and sacred palm-leaf manuscripts called lontar.
—Ashlea Halpern, TIME, 25 July 2024
The exact age is still unknown, according to the post, but the monument was likely used for ritualistic purposes.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ritualistic 
Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Aug. 2024
Both of these projects promoted ultraviolence, demonic Satanism, ritualistic torture, and pedophilia.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 1 Aug. 2024
Inside the multi-level museum, visitors can read Indonesian poetry on the walls, watch a documentary capturing the ritualistic magic of Nyepi, and view traditional Balinese calendars and sacred palm-leaf manuscripts called lontar.
—Ashlea Halpern, TIME, 25 July 2024
The exact age is still unknown, according to the post, but the monument was likely used for ritualistic purposes.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ritualistic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ritualistic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ritualistic
Cite this Entry
“Ritualistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritualistic. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
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