1
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
the observance of this family tradition would make your grandmother very happy observance of the smoking ban in public buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in awareness
a state of being aware
if you've been doing any significant housecleaning, it has escaped my observance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Handler and his son will not attend any five year memorial observances.
—
Marisa Peñaloza,
NPR,
24 June 2026
Dozens of other states followed suit to recognize it as a holiday or an observance in the ensuing decades as grassroots campaigns to expand its official acknowledgement built up.
—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
19 June 2026
That fragility makes this year’s Juneteenth observance feel even more urgent, reminding us that even sacred public places can’t be taken for granted.
—
Christina Ray Stanton,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Also, banks with a presence in North Carolina — including Wells Fargo and Bank of America — won’t open to customers in observance of the national holiday.
—
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for observance
Marisa Peñaloza,
NPR,
24 June 2026
Dozens of other states followed suit to recognize it as a holiday or an observance in the ensuing decades as grassroots campaigns to expand its official acknowledgement built up.
—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
19 June 2026
That fragility makes this year’s Juneteenth observance feel even more urgent, reminding us that even sacred public places can’t be taken for granted.
—
Christina Ray Stanton,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Also, banks with a presence in North Carolina — including Wells Fargo and Bank of America — won’t open to customers in observance of the national holiday.
—
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for observance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observance
Noun
-
As a result of Holzman’s advocacy and Dylan’s example, the singer-songwriter movement was born, once again proving that American music is defined not by its adherence to the past, but by its capacity for reinvention.
-
All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines.
Noun
-
That the ritual continues Saturday after Saturday, year after year, is its own kind of small miracle.
-
Supporters argue that the gatherings represent a form of devotion untethered from rigid rituals and the gatekeeping normally associated with temples or religious processions.
Noun
-
At least two other children in Florida have died in hot cars since the beginning of 2026, according to the education and public awareness group Kids and Cars.
-
The most obvious factor being that the games are being played in the US, Canada and Mexico, which raises Americans’ overall awareness and puts matches in far more favorable TV windows.
Noun
-
Treat cybersecurity as an investment in economic competitiveness and national resilience, not simply regulatory compliance.
-
Faced with a national IT compliance mandate, Sapporo’s city government needed to modernize over one million lines of legacy code, which Kaplan estimated would have normally taken 200 engineering months of work.
Noun
-
At the April topping-off ceremony, Lightfoot, who left office in 2023, took credit for the rising casino, perhaps the signature achievement of her administration.
-
Last week, the president abruptly canceled a housing bill signing ceremony, blocking the legislation from immediately becoming law.
Noun
-
In June 2024, Kelce and Swift were at the center of worldwide attention, even though their relationship wasn’t even a year old.
-
The retro ensemble caught the attention of fans and press everywhere.
Noun
-
That's because Costco warehouses will be closed Saturday, July 4, in observation of the holiday, according to the company's website.
-
Several stores, pharmacies and local businesses are adjusting their hours on Saturday, July 4, or closing in observation of Independence Day.
Noun
-
The society rejected that change, citing a desire for the Latin rite's sense of mystery and formality.
-
In the consecration rite, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, who was excommunicated after being consecrated without papal consent in 1988, placed his hands on the head of each of the four new bishops.
Cite this Entry
“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observance. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
