Definition of observancenext
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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

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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 observance That fragility makes this year’s Juneteenth observance feel even more urgent, reminding us that even sacred public places can’t be taken for granted. Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026 Also, banks with a presence in North Carolina — including Wells Fargo and Bank of America — won’t open to customers in observance of the national holiday. Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026 United States stock markets will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 18 June 2026 The Sacramento area has held free Juneteenth festivals and celebrations for decades, with festivities expanding as official observances on the local, state and national levels has continued expanding. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for observance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observance
Noun
  • However, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding adherence to the MoU, with the Wall Street Journal reporting Thursday that Iran expects to reel in $40 billion per year as part of a mechanism to impose tolls.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 25 June 2026
  • Disappearing Japandi slats and minimal, low-to-the-ground frames were the prevailing bedroom fixtures, with an almost prescriptive adherence to the same overall look—white percale sheets, Noguchi lanterns, and midcentury alarm clocks.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • After a few minutes of ritual, a group of three men shed their long black robes to reveal flowing gowns and began their sema, or ceremony, a ritual that has been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
  • That might include customer commitments the team can protect, decisions managers can make without escalation, experiments the team can run over the next 30 days, learning priorities for an AI transition, escalation rules for customer or employee risk, and team rituals that keep work coherent.
    Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs agency said that their findings underscore the need for continuous testing along with heightened industry awareness of labelling obligations.
    Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 June 2026
  • Over the decades, as more awareness spread on environmental issues, municipalities began to phase out combined sewer systems.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Iran was found to be out of compliance in the early 2000s due to a secret nuclear weapons program.
    Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • Automated governance scans the entire system to identify sensitive information and track its lineage, providing a complete map of the data to ensure secure compliance.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The chairs for 3,000 attendees at the opening ceremony on June 18 magically cleared overnight, making way for DJ sets, dancing and a long line to take a picture with the statue of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • But what about the actual ceremony?
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Despite Schlossberg's national attention, most current polls show either New York Assemblymembers Alex Bores or Micah Lasher as frontrunners.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Seek prompt medical attention for deep puncture wounds or wounds contaminated by dirt or debris.
    Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The telescope will be prompted to capture observations every 15 minutes for over a year to explore the dense, central portion of the Milky Way known as the Galactic Bulge.
    Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
  • This find strengthens the idea that Stonehenge emerged from older traditions of solar observation and seasonal ceremony, traditions that continue with various global celebrations today.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • Known to stir up a twinge of anxiety due to the organization’s track record selecting talent in the first round of the NBA Draft, the annual rite of summer has arrived.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026
  • Her book captures the community’s most personal moments, from family life and weddings to sacred religious rites.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observance. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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