1
as in followed
to act according to the commands of
you must observe all the rules of this school, not simply the ones that meet with your personal approval
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebrated
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
3
as in watched
to keep one's eyes on
happily spent many hours observing the birds at the backyard feeder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in reflected
to make a statement of one's opinion
"I think you might be mistaken," he observed
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in noticed
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
she observed that the weather had changed again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in noted
to take notice of and be guided by
generally observes the suggestions of the experts regarding baby care
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 observed
His aversion to seeing the deficit widen further on the back of a bigger military bill highlights a phenomenon observed by historian Niall Ferguson, who has said any great power that spends more on debt servicing than on defense risks ceasing to be a great power.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Powdery mildew is most often observed on roses grown in shady conditions or poor air circulation.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The suspect was then observed driving recklessly and ran a stop sign at West 46th Street and Aldrich Avenue South at 80 mph.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
The two men police observed to have been in the vehicle with her — one of them Mays, who was identified as the driver — entered a store in the area.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
May 1 is a public holiday observed all over Germany, but putting up maypoles in the center of the village is a beloved tradition celebrated primarily in Bavaria, Austria, and other parts of southern Germany as a symbol of not only community but also the beginning of spring and fertility.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Researchers also observed changes in fat storage and metabolism.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
Authorities observed four men exit the sedan and flee inside.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The lawsuit, filed by the 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way Condominium Association, claims building residents have observed concrete balconies crumbling and the building's seawall corroding, issues that lawyers estimate will cost millions of dollars to repair.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Powdery mildew is most often observed on roses grown in shady conditions or poor air circulation.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The suspect was then observed driving recklessly and ran a stop sign at West 46th Street and Aldrich Avenue South at 80 mph.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
The two men police observed to have been in the vehicle with her — one of them Mays, who was identified as the driver — entered a store in the area.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
May 1 is a public holiday observed all over Germany, but putting up maypoles in the center of the village is a beloved tradition celebrated primarily in Bavaria, Austria, and other parts of southern Germany as a symbol of not only community but also the beginning of spring and fertility.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Researchers also observed changes in fat storage and metabolism.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
Authorities observed four men exit the sedan and flee inside.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The lawsuit, filed by the 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way Condominium Association, claims building residents have observed concrete balconies crumbling and the building's seawall corroding, issues that lawyers estimate will cost millions of dollars to repair.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observed
Verb
-
In the years that followed, Blackmon and other lawyers used the law to challenge at-large election systems that prevented Black communities from electing candidates of their choice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
And their listeners had fun right along with them, and followed them from one station to another.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Chicagoans celebrated May Day on May 1, also known as International Workers’ Day, with performances, rallies and marches all over the city, from Union Park to Rainbow PUSH Coalition.—
Antonio Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
And no, this isn’t to say grandmas and moms of grown kids don’t deserve to be celebrated.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
No quarterback will be watched more than Josh Hoover, who takes over for Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at defending national champion Indiana.—
Eric Olson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The decision reflected a common pattern in China's technology sector, where startups establish offshore corporate structures to access global capital and reassure foreign investors, and sometimes soften regulatory scrutiny while maintaining engineering talent and intellectual ties to the mainland.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Karres’ lasting influence is reflected in the tributes and memories people have posted online over the past few days as word of his death spread.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cook noticed that all of the lead characters could be said to have conflicting desires, which gave her idea of how to stage the show using the traditional singing/signing model.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Their disappearance was not noticed for several hours and touched off a massive manhunt.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The procedures noted that in some cases, outing students to parents could be dangerous to their health and well-being, and school officials should ask the students for consent to notify their parents of the support plan.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The news was announced in a statement from the Ministry of Culture, which noted that Giuli will neither travel to Venice for the preview of the exhibition nor attend its opening ceremony on May 9.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The direction – which was visibly obeyed – is nothing new for repeat attendees of Welch’s shows, who have endured the agony of a phone-free hand for two minutes.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
-
And all the adults obeyed the eldest daughter.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Albanese noted that Australia commemorated on Tuesday the 30th anniversary of Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in modern times.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
On Tuesday, April 21, the engaged couple, who are parents to Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphrey, 3, commemorated the occasion with loving tributes to one another on Instagram.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observed. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
