observant

adjective

ob·ser·vant | \ əb-ˈzər-vənt

Definition of observant

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : paying strict attention : watchful an observant spectator

b : keen, perceptive observant of the mistakes of others Good reporters are keenly observant of everything around them.

2 : careful in observing rites, laws, or customs : mindful pious and religiously observant families— Sidney Hook always observant of the amenities

observant

noun

Definition of observant (Entry 2 of 2)

obsolete

: an assiduous or obsequious servant or attendant

Other Words from observant Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about observant

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Synonyms & Antonyms for observant

Synonyms: Adjective

alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, open-eyed, tenty (also tentie) [Scottish], vigilant, watchful, wide-awake

Antonyms: Adjective

asleep

Examples of observant in a Sentence

Adjective

A particularly observant child, he noticed even the slightest changes in the classroom. Good reporters are keenly observant of everything around them. The family is strictly observant.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Some observant Jews in Pittsburgh learned of the news more quickly. — Shayndi Raice, WSJ, "Prohibition on Electronics Left Many Orthodox Jews in Dark About Pittsburgh Shooting," 28 Oct. 2018 The detention centers are outside the regular justice system and largely hold Muslims seen as too observant or whose loyalties to the government are suspect, rather than who have violated criminal laws. — Josh Chin, WSJ, "Turkey Calls on China to End Mass Incarceration of Muslim Uighurs," 10 Feb. 2019 Take the time to do a job well, never lose your sense of humor, be generous, observant and adventurous. — Alexander Lobrano, WSJ, "The Secret to Happiness, From a French Kitchen," 10 Oct. 2018 Flick, played by Jahmaul Bakare, is black, observant and intuitive. — Daryl H. Miller, latimes.com, "The Actors Co-op production of 'Violet' might make you believe in miracles," 24 May 2018 My date that night even commented on them–observant man, right? — Lauren Harbury, Redbook, "What It's Like to Wear Fake Eyelashes Every Single Day," 31 May 2016 Meanwhile, your best bet on starting any new job is to be observant. — Karen Burns, The Seattle Times, "Don’t let unwritten workplace rules trip you up," 7 Nov. 2018 Then, through the problems of Vietnam, and [the era of] campus unrest, each successive generation of mainline Protestantism has been a little less observant than the last. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "Why this shrinking religious group might be among America’s last “swing voters”," 5 Nov. 2018 Trump converted to Orthodox Judaism before marrying Jared Kushner (the family is known to be observant), real estate developer and senior adviser to her father. — Chioma Nnadi, Vogue, "Karlie Kloss Gets Candid About Politics, Her Relationship, and Women in Tech," 11 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'observant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.