adj
ritualistic
riht-shoo-uh-LIHS-tihk
Ritualistic (adj) means Carried out in a fixed, ceremony-like way, following a set pattern. Example: “His pre-match routine was almost ritualistic in its precision.”
adj
1
Carried out in a fixed, ceremony-like way, following a set pattern.
"His pre-match routine was almost ritualistic in its precision."
2
Overly attached to habit or routine, done automatically rather than with real thought.
"The meeting had become ritualistic, with no one really listening."
How to use ritualistic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone in a fixed, repetitive, ceremony-like way — can be neutral (like a religious rite) or slightly critical (mindless routine).
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ritualistic
- Superlative
- most ritualistic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His pre-match routine was almost _____ in its precision.
Etymology
From "ritual" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-istic."
Rhymes for ritualistic
holistic
sadistic
artistic
autistic
logistic
heuristic
statistic
realistic
ballistic
hedonistic
linguistic
futuristic
See all rhymes for ritualistic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “ritualistic” mean?
The word “ritualistic” means carried out in a fixed, ceremony-like way, following a set pattern. In plain terms, done in a fixed, repetitive, ceremony-like way — can be neutral (like a religious rite) or slightly critical (mindless routine).
How do you pronounce “ritualistic”?
“Ritualistic” is pronounced riht-shoo-uh-LIHS-tihk (/ˌɹɪt͡ʃuəˈlɪstɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “ritualistic” in a sentence?
Here is “ritualistic” used in a sentence: “His pre-match routine was almost ritualistic in its precision.”
What part of speech is “ritualistic”?
“Ritualistic” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “ritualistic” have?
“Ritualistic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: carried out in a fixed, ceremony-like way, following a set pattern.
