Definition of observenext
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as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony a time when few people in New England observed Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word observe different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of observe are celebrate, commemorate, and keep. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

When is celebrate a more appropriate choice than observe?

The meanings of celebrate and observe largely overlap; however, celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

When is it sensible to use commemorate instead of observe?

Although the words commemorate and observe have much in common, commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When could keep be used to replace observe?

While the synonyms keep and observe are close in meaning, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

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 observe Lent will soon start with Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day period in which Christians worldwide observe a period of reflection, prayer and penance. Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026 The telescope will be used to observe the radio sky at frequencies below 50 MHz and will measure the low-frequency foreground of the universe. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026 The stellar dimming was one of the longest ever observed, lasting for around 200 days. Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Zhu observed that shift among her viewers. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for observe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe
Verb
  • Every day, Dan obeyed his own addictions, killing pain with packs of cigarettes and Coors banquet beers.
    Andrew Callahan, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Whatever the Supreme Court decides, 82 percent of American adults believe the president must obey the decision.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Van Der Beek recounted their first meeting in a 2020 Instagram post celebrating the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Diaz suffered a major knee injury while celebrating a win during the 2023 tournament and missed the entire MLB season with the New York Mets.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • John Voorhies, a Tucsonian of sixty-two years, was standing in front of Guthrie’s home, watching the activity.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Neither Nielsen nor NBCUniversal is offering a breakdown of how the audience shook out between NBC and Peacock, though clearly the vast majority of those viewers watched on the broadcast network.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In his op-ed reflecting on the texts, the secretary takes to task the Westminster establishment that allowed Mandelson’s selection, but also waxes philosophical about sexism, diversity, and inclusion.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Teddi Mellencamp reflected on her cancer journey one year after she was hospitalized and required emergency brain surgery.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Then Heard noticed a provision in a California law created in 2012 that allows juveniles sentenced to life without parole to petition for resentencing.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • First responders noticed that the child seemed malnourished and had bruising on his body, police said.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • American figure skater Amber Glenn fired back at critics on Tuesday following her gold medal victory in the team event at the Winter Olympics.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • That begins with limiting visibility, then challenging language and identity, followed by removing symbols.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Parental Guidance Is Key—And Watch for Red Flags Ultimately, parents will want to help guide their teen at this time, since commemorating Valentine’s Day is new territory in their first relationship.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Matthew Tkachuk, star of the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, recently spoke for the team during a White House visit commemorating their title, their second in a row.
    NBC News, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • And a whole constellation of local institutions and community groups is eyeing the three-story brick headhouse for office space.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Her status as a billionaire entrusted with spending down a billionaire’s fortune, and now a victorious Super Bowl winner eyeing a near-immediate exit from the field, makes her one of the most unusual figures in American sports.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observe. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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