1
as in adherence
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 ritual
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
3
as in awareness
a state of being aware
if you've been doing any significant housecleaning, it has escaped my observance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of observance
Conference speakers remembered Kirk and incorporated the activist's memory in religious observances.
—
Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Yet the lack of an observance on Kirk’s death from about half the host clubs in week two of the NFL season incurred hostile coverage from right-wing media including The New York Post, Breitbart, and Fox News, which dutifully covered these programming choices as an insult to a great patriot.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Asian equities were mixed overnight, as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam outperformed while Japan was closed in observance of the Respect for the Aged Day holiday.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The Vances had originally planned to attend the annual 9/11 observance in New York City, but changed plans to go to Utah and escort Kirk's casket.
—Mandy Taheri
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observance
Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Yet the lack of an observance on Kirk’s death from about half the host clubs in week two of the NFL season incurred hostile coverage from right-wing media including The New York Post, Breitbart, and Fox News, which dutifully covered these programming choices as an insult to a great patriot.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Asian equities were mixed overnight, as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam outperformed while Japan was closed in observance of the Respect for the Aged Day holiday.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The Vances had originally planned to attend the annual 9/11 observance in New York City, but changed plans to go to Utah and escort Kirk's casket.
—Mandy Taheri
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observance
Noun
-
Conversely, the categorization system behind the Cato Institute’s study disregards the complexities of some cases that have multiple motivations to consider, including an adherence to incel ideology.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
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The way Zohran Mamdani—the son of an Indian-Ugandan Muslim scholar of Africa—has repudiated these values, along with his adherence to a cosmopolitan vision of peace and justice, guarantees extreme hostility to him among the Establishment.—
Pankaj Mishra,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As part of a tradition that symbolizes sending off sins, some faith followers may toss pieces of bread into the water as part of a Tashlich ceremony, a ritual inspired by a verse in the Book of Micah that describes God casting sins into the depths of the sea.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
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If you’re suddenly obsessed with maximizing your day, this is no coincidence — your health and daily rituals are also of greater importance.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Sleepwalking explores the narrow yet profound space between the vigilant awareness of wakefulness and the surrender to the unknown feelings and sensations of sleep.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Her strategy relies on boosting the brand awareness and strengthening Vivetta’s ties with international retailers.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
An independent supervisor will monitor compliance and oversee the refund process.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The company also must pay to retain an independent, third-party supervisor to monitor its compliance with the consumer-redress distribution process.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At the nomination ceremony, Morgan nominated Ava and Ashley.—
David Wysong,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Sep. 2025
-
European captain Luke Donald took a subtle swipe at Team USA during the Ryder Cup opening ceremony, although at least two of the more outspoken Americans had already committed to doing good with the cash.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On September 23, the Jurassic World Rebirth star dazzled in a brown blazer, silky pants, and a glittery necklace that caught our attention.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Nelson turned his attention to full-time church leadership in 1984, later joining the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the church’s second-highest governing body, and rising to take the helm as church president in January 2018.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
He was initially taken to Lutheran Medical Center and was later transferred to the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for further testing and observation.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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There, one of the tallest towers in Antarctica measures atmospheric data and helps calibrate Earth observation satellites.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In addition to Ducasse’s culinary mastery, offering a cohesive experience that encompasses the liveried staff in period costumes and the ceremonial is part and parcel of the success of the banquet, according to Révah.—
Lily Templeton,
WWD,
20 Feb. 2025
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For those who missed the game, most of the Chiefs’ scores came in garbage time; the lopsided affair was 24-0 at halftime, and the Eagles’ first score was a ceremonial Jalen Hurts Tush Push.—
Jess Bryant,
The Athletic,
10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observance. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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