1
as in adherences
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 rituals
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of observances
As these annual observances continue, some may be wondering if Holy Week celebrations are (or have ever been) federally recognized holidays.
—
Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
In some modern Jewish congregations, contemporary afflictions and forms of oppression are incorporated into Passover observances alongside the traditional biblical plagues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Later generations’ disconnection from their roots is depicted with the steady decline in the traditional mourning observances for older family members, which shrinks from a 7-day shiva for Henry in 1855 to just three minutes of silence for his grandson, Bobbie, in 1969.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other major holy sites were closed on Palm Sunday under Israeli wartime restrictions, disrupting one of Christianity’s holiest observances as the Iran war entered its fifth week.
—Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Israeli police blocked him from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday services, an unprecedented move that comes as war and security restrictions disrupt Christian observances across the region.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Passover is among the observances most central to Jewish life.
—Brian Siegal, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Religious observances filled the calendar; Sri Lanka has more holidays than almost any other country.
—Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Today, the holiday kicks off the country’s tourist season, though 40 years ago the day was marked by religious observances that even closed down bars.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
In some modern Jewish congregations, contemporary afflictions and forms of oppression are incorporated into Passover observances alongside the traditional biblical plagues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Later generations’ disconnection from their roots is depicted with the steady decline in the traditional mourning observances for older family members, which shrinks from a 7-day shiva for Henry in 1855 to just three minutes of silence for his grandson, Bobbie, in 1969.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other major holy sites were closed on Palm Sunday under Israeli wartime restrictions, disrupting one of Christianity’s holiest observances as the Iran war entered its fifth week.
—Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Israeli police blocked him from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday services, an unprecedented move that comes as war and security restrictions disrupt Christian observances across the region.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Passover is among the observances most central to Jewish life.
—Brian Siegal, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Religious observances filled the calendar; Sri Lanka has more holidays than almost any other country.
—Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Today, the holiday kicks off the country’s tourist season, though 40 years ago the day was marked by religious observances that even closed down bars.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observances
Noun
-
In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the movie is an acid satire of pre-wedding rituals — like the first dance that Charlie and Emma are dutifully rehearsing for, with a ridiculously stern taskmaster of a coach.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Zhdanov and his team calculated the depth of this possible reservoir by flying a helicopter that was kitted out with electromagnetic equipment over a section of the of the lake and combined these observations with magnetic measurements to study the structure of the reservoir.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
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Here are my observations on the 52-year-old stadium, which could be left behind in favor of a new location in the near future.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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When Argentina hosted in 1978, the military junta that had taken power two years earlier staged elaborate ceremonies as markers of the country’s stability amid growing evidence of violent political repression.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But the hotel offers plenty of experiences to get to know the area, from countryside tours in a vintage VW convertible to blessing ceremonies at one of Ubud’s oldest sacred sites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
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Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observances. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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