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as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony a time when few people in New England observed Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word observe different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of observe are celebrate, commemorate, and keep. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

When is celebrate a more appropriate choice than observe?

The meanings of celebrate and observe largely overlap; however, celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

When is it sensible to use commemorate instead of observe?

Although the words commemorate and observe have much in common, commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When could keep be used to replace observe?

While the synonyms keep and observe are close in meaning, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

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 observe Over months, researchers observed around 60 chimps in Kibale National Park in Uganda. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025 However, the effect is very weak and thus can be observed only in very low-pressure environments, such as those near the edge of space. Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2025 Waterbury Police Department officers reportedly observed Santos and others conducting hand-to-hand drug transactions from a car Santos was driving on March 21, 2021, according to court records. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2025 In the 1970s, management scholar Meredith Belbin observed that teams composed entirely of high-IQ individuals were prone to prolonged arguments, showed little cohesion and struggled to reach decisions, with members more interested in debating than collaborating. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for observe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe
Verb
  • How to Stay Safe from Rip Currents Moulton, Houser and Dusek all agree that staying safe from rip currents means following two guidelines: only swim at beaches where a lifeguard is present and obey any warnings from lifeguards or local officials about staying out of the water.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2025
  • In 2018, he was arrested for refusing to obey a protective order and surrender firearms.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • For this month’s 20th anniversary of Dog Day, suggestions on how to celebrate including taking your dog for a walk, adopting a dog or donating blankets, food or funds to a local rescue center.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Medicaid recipients watched in fear as Republicans passed deep rollbacks.
    Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Downtown Traverse City’s Open Space park on Saturday, Aug. 23, was the setting for an afternoon of these eclectic foods while mingling with celebrity chefs and watching cooking demonstrations or sampling wine.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Promotional rates reflect discounts for Autopay and paperless billing.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • In countries run by populists, there often comes a moment when empirical reality, as reflected in official economic statistics, clashes with the regime’s rhetoric, and something gives.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Americans have noticed that Democratic leaders are increasingly unhinged.
    Nicole Russell, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Wilson noticed the prank and chased Banjo briefly before Banjo gave it up.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Boston’s late-inning offense followed an up-and-down start by Gil, who held the Red Sox to two runs (one earned) over five innings, despite issuing five walks and allowing four hits.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The following water systems were found to have forever chemical levels over the EPA limit: Are forever chemicals in your water?
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Air Force base and the airport's original name commemorated Charles Linton Williams, an Arizona native who was a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Beckham commemorates their one-year anniversary by sharing a portrait of them nestled in a bathtub together.
    Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The probe is eyeing multiple instances of the use of classified documents in leaks to the news media.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Other teams eyed him in the undrafted portion of free agency, and some are monitoring the Vikings’ decision now.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observe. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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