Definition of observenext
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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 Heavy grease and debris accumulation was observed on the floor below, at the wall behind and plumbing of the main cook’s line equipment, on the floor in between the kitchen upright cooler and on the plumbing leading into the front floor sink. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado june 26, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 Similar-strength gravitational waves have been observed before. Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 26 June 2026 One was with the bio-andy, observing and providing oversight guidance. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026 As with every full moon, the exact moment of peak illumination is not the best time to observe it. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for observe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe
Verb
  • As her cabin took on water, Chloe Childress had obeyed Camp Mystic’s one directive to shelter in place.
    Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
  • When the dragons arrive at the Gullet, any relief felt by Rhaenyra’s troops is fleeting at best — especially when not all of them obey their riders’ wishes, which is how this whole mess began in the first place.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Moroccan supporters, who had arrived in force, marching toward the stadium amid pounding drums and chants, celebrated their team’s victory and advancement.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
  • Best Amazon Prime Day Travel Deals Vacation season is in full swing, and Amazon is celebrating with huge Prime Day deals on all sorts of travel essentials.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Justin Shaffer, of Sacramento, brought his son, River, to watch Friday’s games.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026
  • Do yourself a favor and scroll down through this live blog and watch the replays of all the Senegal goals, especially the last three in the second half.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Trump blames vandalism for the troubles with the reflecting pool renovation, announces people are being arrested.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • The first-of-its-kind event reflected a party eager to experiment and broaden its appeal beyond the traditional political crowd.
    Adam Beam, AJC.com, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Sensors alone are not a cure for such failures, but better measurements can help engineers notice when important details are changing.
    Alex Krasnok, Fortune, 21 June 2026
  • Pryor also noticed that Black students were frequently more hesitant to participate in these conversations.
    Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • The shooter, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, died at a hospital following an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • Members who have followed our coverage of Linde may recognize a similar dynamic, as the company also utilizes contractual energy cost pass-through clauses.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The celebration will include fireworks, military bands, flyovers, tributes to the Armed Services, and a speech by the president that the organization said would commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary and chart a course for America's next chapter.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • The blue-and-orange bins were put out last week by the New York City Department of Sanitation to commemorate the Knicks’ first NBA championship in more than 50 years.
    Doha Madani, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Europe’s largest economy, like many wealthy nations, is eyeing autonomous bots to address its struggling industrial base and aging workforce.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 23 June 2026
  • In any case, chip stocks are down, too, and investors are eying Intel and others with a certain suspicion, at least short-term.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observe. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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