observation

noun

ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce observation (audio)
Definition of observationnext
1
as in attention
a state of being aware it has come to my observation that you've been missing a lot of school lately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law a society in which a strict observation of business etiquette is expected of visiting foreigners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 observation For example, Tom Stallard of Northumbria University in the UK, who is a co-author with Yan on the new research paper, has been leading James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of the faint infrared auroral lights on both Uranus and Neptune. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2026 The observation comes after the Nasdaq Composite slipped earlier this week, as losses in Nvidia led tech stocks lower. — Liz Napolitano,hugh Leask,lee Ying Shan,fred Imbert, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026 Those observations pushed the company toward working directly with model developers. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026 Limit catches might be rare but, according to Manns’ underwater observations, most bass are in either a school or an aggregation. — Morris Gresham, Outdoor Life, 9 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for observation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observation
  1. attention
  2. adherence
  3. awareness
  4. compliance
  5. note
  6. observance
  7. mindfulness
  8. conformity
Noun
  • Though intended as a joke, the latter reaction succinctly illustrates the attention this trip has garnered on social media.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Now, the Yellow Jackets turn their attention to the next round of the playoffs.
    — Ryan Hunt, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • The exercise sessions were also demanding, and only 40% of participants met all the study’s criteria for adherence to the program.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Automated traceability then helped verify adherence to requirements.
    — Kumar Chivukula, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of adherence
Noun
  • Part of our work is figuring out how to close the gap between the scale and the numbers and the awareness.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Stewart says the costume wasn’t intended to mock the unhoused, but rather raise awareness of their plight.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of awareness
Noun
  • Colorado’s athletic administrators have taken a more direct position on compliance.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2026
  • On Thursday, Megaspeed CEO Tan Yong Pong said in a statement the company has cooperated with inspections by the US Department of Commerce and has retained a US law firm to independently verify its compliance with export controls.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of compliance
Noun
  • The photos, the interviewer notes—which are often oversized, shot in stark black-and-white, with their subjects set against a blank, solid background—aren’t captioned with any identifying details.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Memphis’s food and hotel scenes also bring high notes to back it all up.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of note
Noun
  • Staff often struggled to accommodate her needs for kosher food, modest dress and Shabbat observance.
    — Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But core to every observance is the celebration of life and the honoring of the dead.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of observance
Noun
  • Then, throughout the month of December, Holiday Wellness & Joy programs follow with activities encouraging warmth, light, and mindful creation with restorative spa treatments, movement, mindfulness, and healthy cuisine.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Isaac Treves, a postdoctoral research fellow at Columbia University who studies neuroimaging, mindfulness and resilience, is particularly skeptical of consumer neurofeedback devices such as Muse.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of mindfulness
Noun
  • The Brooklyn group prizes playfulness over conformity on its latest album, plumbing country, folk, indie rock, art pop, and more for an album of giddy love songs and existential gender trouble.
    — Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Higher-education reform will have limited reach if education schools continue supplying classrooms with teachers trained to treat ideological conformity as professional competence.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of conformity

Browse Nearby Words

observant
observation
observational
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Cite this Entry

“Observation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observation. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about observation

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