ritualism

/ˈrɪtʃuəˌlɪzəm/
noun
  1. The practice of following a fixed set of actions or ceremonies, especially in religion or tradition.
    • Some people find comfort in the ritualism of daily routines like making tea at the same time.
    • The church's ritualism includes a specific order of prayers and hymns every Sunday.
    • The anthropologist studied the ritualism of the tribe's harvest festival.
  2. Excessive or rigid adherence to formal ceremonies or routines, often without deeper meaning.
    • His ritualism at the dinner table annoyed his family because he insisted on the same seating arrangement every night.
    • The organization's ritualism stifled creativity, as everyone followed the same outdated procedures.
    • The teacher criticized the school's ritualism, saying students just went through the motions without learning.