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
That means offices and observances tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, such as Miami Dade Black Affairs initiatives, Women’s History Month programming, and a wide range of cultural and heritage related programming across Florida.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
The Black Wall Street Rally also returns to Greenwood that weekend, with speakers, panels, and community programming connected to Greenwood Rising’s Juneteenth observances.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
In just the past few weeks, public debate has centered on issues such as school curriculum oversight, commemorative and cultural observances and facility access policies.
—Brett Wilson, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
Worshippers can now freely gather at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites for major religious celebrations, including Orthodox Easter and Ramadan observances.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Easter Monday falls on April 6, 2026, and continues religious observances.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
The Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and marks the culmination of Holy Week, a series of observances that includes Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and finally, Easter Sunday.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 2 Apr. 2026
As these annual observances continue, some may be wondering if Holy Week celebrations are (or have ever been) federally recognized holidays.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
In some modern Jewish congregations, contemporary afflictions and forms of oppression are incorporated into Passover observances alongside the traditional biblical plagues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
The Black Wall Street Rally also returns to Greenwood that weekend, with speakers, panels, and community programming connected to Greenwood Rising’s Juneteenth observances.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
In just the past few weeks, public debate has centered on issues such as school curriculum oversight, commemorative and cultural observances and facility access policies.
—Brett Wilson, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
Worshippers can now freely gather at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites for major religious celebrations, including Orthodox Easter and Ramadan observances.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Easter Monday falls on April 6, 2026, and continues religious observances.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
The Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and marks the culmination of Holy Week, a series of observances that includes Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and finally, Easter Sunday.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 2 Apr. 2026
As these annual observances continue, some may be wondering if Holy Week celebrations are (or have ever been) federally recognized holidays.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
In some modern Jewish congregations, contemporary afflictions and forms of oppression are incorporated into Passover observances alongside the traditional biblical plagues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observances
Noun
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Critics also felt the depiction of the 'Guryu Myeonryugwan' crown (a traditional royal headpiece historically associated with vassal state rituals) was incorrect.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Much of the film is set in and around a Parisian elder-care facility, and Hamaguchi guides us through its rooms and hallways, its meetings and rituals, with a patience and passionate granularity worthy of the late documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Filled with dark humor, Zhang’s satire slyly weaves in observations about race, privilege, and social media.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Past observations by Hubble and other observatories have picked up outflows of gas from NGC 1266, lending further support to this theory of why so few new stars are being born there.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Goddess Retreats runs a women-only villa retreat in Seminyak, Bali, that pairs yoga, spa treatments and healing ceremonies with shopping, café visits and cultural exploration.—
Lauren Schuster,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
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Strangers are matched by experts and move in together after mock wedding ceremonies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Noun
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The incident underscored growing tensions between health officials enforcing strict Ebola containment measures and local customs surrounding funerals and burial rites.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
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Response clashes with local customs The efforts of health officials and aid groups have met with pushback from communities due to misinformation or situations where medical policy has clashed with local customs such as burial rites.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observances. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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