1
as in participating
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in aware
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in observation
Related Words
1
as in obeying
to act according to the commands of
you must observe all the rules of this school, not simply the ones that meet with your personal approval
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebrating
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
3
as in watching
to keep one's eyes on
happily spent many hours observing the birds at the backyard feeder
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in reflecting
to make a statement of one's opinion
"I think you might be mistaken," he observed
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in noticing
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
she observed that the weather had changed again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in following
to take notice of and be guided by
generally observes the suggestions of the experts regarding baby care
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of observing
Heidi Reynolds-Stenson, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
Both Gemini telescopes are known for advanced observing techniques that help counteract the blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In civil-rights circles, that work falls under the broad definition of legal observing.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
In fact, during the first period of the fourth observing run (known as O4A), LIGO saw more gravitational wave events than from all previous observing runs combined.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 17 Sep. 2025
This combination of talking and observing has immediate benefits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Aug. 2025
Birdwatching is the observing of birds either as a recreational activity or citizen science.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Supporters of the prosecution contend Lemon was not merely observing but actively participating in conduct that disrupted worshippers.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, traumatic stress that develops while observing and listening to traumatized students has not been widely publicized and often is confused with burnout.
—Bruce Plopper, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
But in recent years, horse training has been reframed around horse psychology, with emphasis on observing and guiding the horse, as opposed to dominating it.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Then be sure to check out our picks of the best telescopes and binoculars for exploring the night sky, along with our guide to observing the moon.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Feb. 2026
As Hal witnesses crisis and inequality firsthand, the line between observing and acting begins to blur.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
When athletes are training, Gnacinski can be found off to the sides observing their performance.
—Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Beyond finding the origin of the lipstick vine species, Ree said the study emphasizes the importance of scientific fieldwork and observing ecological interactions.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
There is discussion in the news nationwide about legal observing and know-your-rights training sessions.
—Heidi Reynolds-Stenson, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
Both Gemini telescopes are known for advanced observing techniques that help counteract the blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In civil-rights circles, that work falls under the broad definition of legal observing.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
In fact, during the first period of the fourth observing run (known as O4A), LIGO saw more gravitational wave events than from all previous observing runs combined.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 17 Sep. 2025
This combination of talking and observing has immediate benefits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Aug. 2025
Birdwatching is the observing of birds either as a recreational activity or citizen science.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
His family might never know all the details, but Bouzid gives the audience tangible knowledge of his passions and misgivings, accomplishing that by observing the five female characters in his orbit, and so the mystery of all their lives is fully revealed.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Supporters of the prosecution contend Lemon was not merely observing but actively participating in conduct that disrupted worshippers.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, traumatic stress that develops while observing and listening to traumatized students has not been widely publicized and often is confused with burnout.
—Bruce Plopper, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
But in recent years, horse training has been reframed around horse psychology, with emphasis on observing and guiding the horse, as opposed to dominating it.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Then be sure to check out our picks of the best telescopes and binoculars for exploring the night sky, along with our guide to observing the moon.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Feb. 2026
As Hal witnesses crisis and inequality firsthand, the line between observing and acting begins to blur.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
When athletes are training, Gnacinski can be found off to the sides observing their performance.
—Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Beyond finding the origin of the lipstick vine species, Ree said the study emphasizes the importance of scientific fieldwork and observing ecological interactions.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observing
Adjective
-
Legal observers are neutral, non-participating watchers who often attend police actions to witness, document and monitor law enforcement behavior.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Some of that can surely be chalked up to missing out on the rest and recharge that non-participating players took advantage of during that break, and McLellan confirmed recently that Larkin came back from the tournament banged up, which hampered him.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nexus One now supports job-aware observability, allowing operators to correlate network behavior directly with GPU workloads.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Burrell superintendent Shannon Wagner told KDKA-TV in a statement that the district was made aware of the arrest and allegations and that Fantuzzo has been relieved of his coaching duties until the outcome of the Montgomery County proceedings.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Colorado is building up its system of 76 airports, investing $12 million for projects ranging from an observation area to safety upgrades.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2026
-
From Weiss Field, the group of about 500 teens marched to Veterans Plaza just over a mile away near downtown Waukegan, where observations are held for Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other holidays.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Writing isn’t about compiling a list of rules and then obeying them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
If money talks, there clearly was a feeling George violated the letter of the law by obeying the spirit of her profession.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Galentine’s Day is dedicated to celebrating sisterhood, friendship and platonic love.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The band from Berkeley, California – just across the San Francisco Bay from Levi's Stadium – will perform during a ceremony celebrating the Super Bowl's 60th anniversary with and Super Bowl MVPs from the last six decades.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The singer walked in on a vignette of a couple watching Bad Bunny at the awards ceremony with their young son.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The singer grew up watching his idols win awards on television, and eventually, those idols began handing him the awards.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The construction industry added 33,000 jobs in January, with robust gains for specialty trade contractors, likely reflecting demand from data centers, experts noted.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Skyscrapers line city streets, reflecting an 8% economic growth rate, among the highest in the world, and a stock market that soared 37% last year in dollar terms.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The difference between counting down the minutes and barely noticing the time often comes down to what’s in your carry-on.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Driving west on Lake Street in Minneapolis, Emily Phillips abruptly stopped talking mid-sentence, noticing a pickup truck with heavily tinted windows.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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