1
as in adherences
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 rituals
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of observances
Many districts allow for short-term exceptions—such as for bereavement, family emergencies, or religious observances—but rarely for travel motivated by convenience or cost.
—
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Now employers must show a substantial hardship when refusing to honor religious beliefs or practices, such as allowing employees to wear a yarmulke, hijab or turban, pray at work or to schedule work around religious observances.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Similar jijingu have been found across the Baekje kingdom’s capital, and offer a window into religious observances at the time—a mix of indigenous Korean animism combined with outside Buddhist and Chinese influences.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
Conference speakers remembered Kirk and incorporated the activist's memory in religious observances.
—Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Now employers must show a substantial hardship when refusing to honor religious beliefs or practices, such as allowing employees to wear a yarmulke, hijab or turban, pray at work or to schedule work around religious observances.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Similar jijingu have been found across the Baekje kingdom’s capital, and offer a window into religious observances at the time—a mix of indigenous Korean animism combined with outside Buddhist and Chinese influences.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
Conference speakers remembered Kirk and incorporated the activist's memory in religious observances.
—Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observances
Noun
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Homeowners continue to seek more personalized enhancements that support both entertaining needs and everyday rituals.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Think spa-like spaces that cater to your individual rituals, preferences and self-care routines, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 2026 Bath Trends report.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Next, the team hopes to combine these observations with higher-resolution data and simulations to follow the gas even closer to the galactic core.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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Other actors were influenced by Hoffman’s performance and their own observations.—
Sarah Kurchak,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Set to host the Olympic and Paralympic athletics, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies, the stadium is due to be built in the 158-acre Victoria Park, just north of central Brisbane.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
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However, French officials’ tolerance of petit marronage allowed for the forging of maroon and slave connections across the island, as people gathered for religious ceremonies or dances, building networks that were useful at the time and would become vital in the future.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Bigelow has often been accused of being apolitical—or, because of her fascination with the codes, rites, and aesthetics of men at war, of advancing a gung-ho fetishization of American militarism.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
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According to the Ceremonial of Bishops, such rites – often a Mass or a Liturgy of the Word – should take place as soon as possible following a desecration.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Observances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observances. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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