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
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 observances
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
Later generations’ disconnection from their roots is depicted with the steady decline in the traditional mourning observances for older family members, which shrinks from a 7-day shiva for Henry in 1855 to just three minutes of silence for his grandson, Bobbie, in 1969.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Israeli police blocked him from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday services, an unprecedented move that comes as war and security restrictions disrupt Christian observances across the region.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
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
Later generations’ disconnection from their roots is depicted with the steady decline in the traditional mourning observances for older family members, which shrinks from a 7-day shiva for Henry in 1855 to just three minutes of silence for his grandson, Bobbie, in 1969.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Israeli police blocked him from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday services, an unprecedented move that comes as war and security restrictions disrupt Christian observances across the region.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observances
Noun
-
For holistic wellness, Asaya Spa offers treatments and rituals rooted in the healing traditions of the local Huichol and Cora cultures.—
Carole Dixon,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The content gaining traction — tea rituals, slow routines, dense and futuristic cities, food culture that feels abundant and communal — maps precisely onto what young people say is missing from their own lives.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Different locations on Mars The scientists say that Curiosity's discoveries could tie into observations from NASA's other on-duty Mars rover.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
These are observations that amount to light chipping away at a marble edifice that was built with other things in mind.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the hosts on Tuesday, as well as recipients for this year’s lifetime achievement honors at all three ceremonies.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The trio of ceremonies celebrate excellence in American sports, news and documentary broadcasting from the past year.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Celebrating love is universal, but the exact rites and rituals vary.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observances. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
