ritualistic
ritualistic Lexical Profile
ritualistic Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to, characteristic of, or practiced as a formal religious or cultural ritual or ceremony.
"Archaeologists uncovered several bronze vessels used in the ancient temple's ritualistic offerings."
Following a strict, repetitive, or compulsive pattern of behavior in a way that resembles a ceremony.
"Before every championship match, the tennis player goes through a ritualistic sequence of stretching and organizing his water bottles."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'ritual' as an adjective simply means relating to a formal ceremony (e.g., 'a ritual dance'), 'ritualistic' often emphasizes strict, repetitive, or overly rigid adherence to a routine or outward ceremony.
• Rhymes for ritualistic
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-19th century from 'ritualist' plus the suffix '-ic', ultimately tracing back to the Latin noun 'ritus', meaning a religious observance or custom.