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
Passover is among the observances most central to Jewish life.
—
Brian Siegal, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Religious observances filled the calendar; Sri Lanka has more holidays than almost any other country.
—Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Today, the holiday kicks off the country’s tourist season, though 40 years ago the day was marked by religious observances that even closed down bars.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Faith observances during historic milestones Trump isn’t the only president to discuss religion during a major milestone celebration.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
The 40-day period leads up to observances of Jesus’ death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Public observances will be held in Chicago and future plans for celebration of life events will be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Jackson family said in its statement Tuesday.
—Char Adams, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
Public observances will be held in Chicago.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Public observances will be held in Chicago, according to his family.
—Zoe Christen Jones, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Brian Siegal, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Religious observances filled the calendar; Sri Lanka has more holidays than almost any other country.
—Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Today, the holiday kicks off the country’s tourist season, though 40 years ago the day was marked by religious observances that even closed down bars.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Faith observances during historic milestones Trump isn’t the only president to discuss religion during a major milestone celebration.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
The 40-day period leads up to observances of Jesus’ death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Public observances will be held in Chicago and future plans for celebration of life events will be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Jackson family said in its statement Tuesday.
—Char Adams, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
Public observances will be held in Chicago.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Public observances will be held in Chicago, according to his family.
—Zoe Christen Jones, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observances
Noun
-
In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the movie is an acid satire of pre-wedding rituals — like the first dance that Charlie and Emma are dutifully rehearsing for, with a ridiculously stern taskmaster of a coach.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Zhdanov and his team calculated the depth of this possible reservoir by flying a helicopter that was kitted out with electromagnetic equipment over a section of the of the lake and combined these observations with magnetic measurements to study the structure of the reservoir.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Here are my observations on the 52-year-old stadium, which could be left behind in favor of a new location in the near future.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When Argentina hosted in 1978, the military junta that had taken power two years earlier staged elaborate ceremonies as markers of the country’s stability amid growing evidence of violent political repression.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But the hotel offers plenty of experiences to get to know the area, from countryside tours in a vintage VW convertible to blessing ceremonies at one of Ubud’s oldest sacred sites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One of the central pillars of the American dream is becoming increasingly decoupled from the other key rites of adulthood.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
What makes the piece even more precious is that, in addition to Elizabeth, as many as 62 more children of the royal family have worn it for their own baptismal rites, including Charles and Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observances. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
