Definition of observancenext
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as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules some religions require very specific observances on holy days

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of observance The court disagreed, saying that SB 10 requires no religious exercise or observance. S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026 April 9 is celebrated annually in the Philippines as a national observance, the Day of Valor, commemorating the fall of Bataan. Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 Upcoming Freedom 250 events include a May 17 national jubilee of prayer, praise and thanksgiving on the National Mall, a national observance on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery and a state fair on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10. Max Rego, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2026 Doors opened; doors narrowed again when Jewish distinctiveness reasserted itself, whether through religious observance, Zionism, or simple refusal to disappear. Kenneth L. Marcus, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for observance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observance
Noun
  • In addiction medicine, this type of frequent patient contact would be invaluable for informational purposes as well as successful adherence to treatment plans.
    Steve D. Klein, STAT, 14 May 2026
  • As one of the negative philosophies, pessimism, in its adherence to radical openness, is also marked by its anti-systematic nature.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Seasonal cleaning is a divisive ritual—one that homeowners, designers, and cleaning experts either swear by or happily skip.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
  • Mornings include movement, journaling and wellness rituals, followed by workshops on focus and online income streams.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Students at a California elementary school are banding together to raise awareness and money to save the bald eagle hunting area at San Bernardino National Forest's Big Bear Valley, home of the viral bald eagles Jackie and Shadow.
    Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 14 May 2026
  • President of the Laburt Improvement Community Association, Janet Bailey handed out flyers in the community after Brooks in an effort to raise awareness abut local behavioral health services.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
  • Treat data as management, not compliance.
    Caroline Whistler, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • The wedding ceremony took place beside a cobblestone ledge at the foot of a waterfall on the Tennessee property.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
  • Catilin Clark is just starting her third WNBA season, and she is already being honored for a big career achievement in a pregame ceremony.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Rather than focusing on the White House setting itself, White said his attention quickly turned toward how bugs could affect lighting, camera shots and the overall broadcast presentation during a live pay-per-view event.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
  • At full time, he was pushed forward by Will Hughes and Maxence Lacroix to take in the appreciation of the supporters, looking almost sheepish at the attention.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • This granular account of the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development, written by a former senior official, draws on internal records and firsthand observations to depict how the government agency was systematically taken apart.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Here are several other observations after the Twins lost two of three to the Brewers over the weekend.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • McKinsey estimates that American consumers are spending $500 billion on products that promise better overall health, sleep, nutrition, mindfulness, fitness and appearance.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • Its themed weekend programs rotate through yoga, pilates, reading, grounding ceremonies and mindfulness.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observance. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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