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
Kiddon harkened back to the early days of the La Grange post’s Memorial Day observances, which have been a tradition there for 82 years.
—
Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Memorial Day observances were also held at Forest Lawn memorial parks in Covina Hills, Hollywood Hills and Glendale.
—Daily News, 25 May 2026
In the United States, flags are lowered to half-staff on certain national observances and following the deaths of notable public officials.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 May 2026
As Memorial Day observances take place on May 25, participants in parts of the eastern half of the United States could be dodging showers and thunderstorms, while the west remains mostly dry and hot.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 24 May 2026
Although Ashura is the day when the mourning reaches its culmination, Muharram has come to mean the collection of observances during this sacred and sorrowful time at the start of the year.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026
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
Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Memorial Day observances were also held at Forest Lawn memorial parks in Covina Hills, Hollywood Hills and Glendale.
—Daily News, 25 May 2026
In the United States, flags are lowered to half-staff on certain national observances and following the deaths of notable public officials.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 May 2026
As Memorial Day observances take place on May 25, participants in parts of the eastern half of the United States could be dodging showers and thunderstorms, while the west remains mostly dry and hot.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 24 May 2026
Although Ashura is the day when the mourning reaches its culmination, Muharram has come to mean the collection of observances during this sacred and sorrowful time at the start of the year.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observances
Noun
-
The spa The spa is small and intentional, with treatments focused on restoration rather than over-the-top rituals.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Performers in traditional dress portray Inca nobility, priests and warriors, and the rituals are conducted in Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire and still widely spoken in the Andes today.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The team relied on computer models, the observations of fish found in nature, and their own creation to come up with a basic theory.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
-
Using modern dating techniques, a joint team of scientists and academics from China, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Wales analyzed pigment samples in a laboratory and compared the findings with observations made at the cave.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
At Miraval Berkshires, guests are immersed in an intimate, nature-rich setting that invites connection, whether that means getting to know others, engaging with our expert specialists, exploring team challenges, or participating in ceremonies grounded in traditional wisdom.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
-
The day brings indigenous Andean music, colorful traditional attire and historical re-enactments of Inca ceremonies.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Distrust, travel bans could complicate response Dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims’ bodies, which clash with local burial rites.—
Jean-Yves Kamale,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
At least three attacks have been recorded against health centers in Ituri province as residents protested stringent medical protocols that clashed with local burial rites, heightening the danger health workers face.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observances. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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