ritualism

noun

rit·​u·​al·​ism ˈri-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm 

-chə-ˌli-;

ˈrich-wə-

1

: the use of ritual

2

: excessive devotion to ritual

ritualist

ˈri-chə-wə-list 

-chə-list;

ˈrich-wə-

noun

Examples of ritualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the players also hinted at something less tangible, some swirl of selfhood and ritualism and sense memory, that week after week lured them back to the ice. —Andrew Keh Bryan Meltz, New York Times, 24 July 2023

The anti-ritualism of the modern mind suspects that there always is a dichotomy between the outward appearance and the inward reality. —Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 9 Mar. 2022

All the ritualism and symbolism and I'm just really drawn by all of that stuff. —Henry Youtt, Billboard, 27 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ritualism

• anti-ritualism

Kids Definition

ritualism

noun

rit·​u·​al·​ism ˈrich-(ə-)wəl-ˌiz-əm 

ˈrich-əl-

: the use of ritual

ritualistic

ˌrich-(ə-)wəl-ˈis-tik 

ˌrich-əl-

adjective