observant

adjective

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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

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 The trial will pause at sunset on Friday and will resume Sunday afternoon to accommodate Trump lawyer David Schoen, an observant Jew who does not work on the Sabbath. — Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner, "Trump impeachment trial will kick off with debate on constitutionality," 8 Feb. 2021 During the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton in 1999, a Connecticut senator at the time, Joseph Lieberman, who is an observant Jew, walked 4 miles from his Georgetown apartment to Capitol Hill to sit as a juror. — Maggie Haberman, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump lawyer asks to pause impeachment trial if it runs into Sabbath," 6 Feb. 2021 Biden, perhaps the most religiously observant commander in chief in a half-century, regularly attends Mass and speaks of how his Catholic faith grounds his life and his policies. — Elizabeth Dias, BostonGlobe.com, "In Biden’s Catholic faith, an ascendant liberal Christianity," 23 Jan. 2021 The downcast latter chapters of the novel are observant and piercing set pieces about suburban malaise and economic drift, punctuated with starker themes of death and abandonment. — Mark Athitakis, Star Tribune, "Review: 'How I Learned to Hate in Ohio,' by David Stuart MacLean," 15 Jan. 2021 On top of all this, Ditlevsen is a delicate, observant child, prone to finding indications of hopelessness in daily life. — Lauren Oyler, Harpers Magazine, "Reality Under My Skin," 5 Jan. 2021 Her first collection of poetry in more than a decade, Dearly is like a sustained twinkle in Atwood’s ever-observant eye. — Sydney Williams, NBC News, "Best books 2020: Winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards," 9 Dec. 2020 This introspective and observant book is something to reach for in the middle of another long, sleepless night. — Angela Haupt, Washington Post, "The most 2020 books of 2020," 19 Nov. 2020 Some were secular in search of cultural fellowship, while others were more religiously observant and cared about living in a space conducive to observing Shabbat and keeping kosher. — Rachelle Stein-wotten, sun-sentinel.com, "A Jewish cohousing movement is on the rise, but challenges beyond COVID remain," 18 Nov. 2020

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.