ritualism

[ rich-oo-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. adherence to or insistence on ritual.
2. the study of ritual practices or religious rites.
3. excessive fondness for ritual.

ritualism

/ ˈrɪtjʊəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. emphasis, esp exaggerated emphasis, on the importance of rites and ceremonies
2. the study of rites and ceremonies, esp magical or religious ones

Derived Forms

• ˈritualist, noun

Other Words From

• ritu·al·istic adjective
• ritu·al·isti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·ritu·al·ism noun
• anti·ritu·al·istic adjective
• hyper·ritu·al·ism noun
• hyper·ritu·a·listic adjective
• nonrit·u·al·istic adjective
• nonrit·u·al·isti·cal·ly adverb
• unrit·u·al·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ritualism¹

First recorded in 1835–45; ritual + -ism

Example Sentences

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.

From Seattle Times

But for members of the Source Family, a group that some call a cult, it’s a way of life honed over decades of study and ritualism based in Western esotericism.

From Los Angeles Times

His writings and videos do not center on ritualism, Satan or brutality.

From US News

The Koranic spirit of freedom, equality, justice and compassion must be reclaimed, with an emphasis on Sharia as ethics rather than rigid ritualism.

From BBC

Others praised his tilt at what they called stifling ritualism and alienating elitism in the concert hall.

From New York Times