1
as in participating
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in aware
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in observation
Related Words
1
as in obeying
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebrating
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 watching
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 reflecting
to make a statement of one's opinion
"I think you might be mistaken," he observed
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in noticing
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 following
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
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Recent Examples of observing
Heidi Reynolds-Stenson, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
Both Gemini telescopes are known for advanced observing techniques that help counteract the blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In civil-rights circles, that work falls under the broad definition of legal observing.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
In fact, during the first period of the fourth observing run (known as O4A), LIGO saw more gravitational wave events than from all previous observing runs combined.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 17 Sep. 2025
This combination of talking and observing has immediate benefits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Aug. 2025
Birdwatching is the observing of birds either as a recreational activity or citizen science.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Another day might be split between classrooms — co-teaching, modeling classroom management strategies or observing first-year teachers.
—Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
Black History Month is sometimes treated as little more than an opportunity for corporate branding and, maybe, school assemblies; but in the face of such erasure, observing it this February feels radical.
—Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
As Hal witnesses crisis and inequality firsthand, the line between observing and acting begins to blur.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
His parents took him and RJ out there, and, for obvious reasons, he was relegated to observing, and supervising, and giving directions.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
Snow also fell closer to the region, with the weather service observing snow at the 2,500-foot elevation mark of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Taking inspiration from observing the rawness of Ma Tei’s Temple Street, the collectionmerges haute couture tailoring with the roughness of grassroots life.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Supporters of the prosecution contend Lemon was not merely observing but actively participating in conduct that disrupted worshippers.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
There is discussion in the news nationwide about legal observing and know-your-rights training sessions.
—Heidi Reynolds-Stenson, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
Both Gemini telescopes are known for advanced observing techniques that help counteract the blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In civil-rights circles, that work falls under the broad definition of legal observing.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
In fact, during the first period of the fourth observing run (known as O4A), LIGO saw more gravitational wave events than from all previous observing runs combined.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 17 Sep. 2025
This combination of talking and observing has immediate benefits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Aug. 2025
Birdwatching is the observing of birds either as a recreational activity or citizen science.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
Kids can build block houses, climb a rock wall, and crawl through a human-sized ant hill while observing the museum’s collection of insects.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Another day might be split between classrooms — co-teaching, modeling classroom management strategies or observing first-year teachers.
—Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
Black History Month is sometimes treated as little more than an opportunity for corporate branding and, maybe, school assemblies; but in the face of such erasure, observing it this February feels radical.
—Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
As Hal witnesses crisis and inequality firsthand, the line between observing and acting begins to blur.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
His parents took him and RJ out there, and, for obvious reasons, he was relegated to observing, and supervising, and giving directions.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
Snow also fell closer to the region, with the weather service observing snow at the 2,500-foot elevation mark of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Taking inspiration from observing the rawness of Ma Tei’s Temple Street, the collectionmerges haute couture tailoring with the roughness of grassroots life.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Supporters of the prosecution contend Lemon was not merely observing but actively participating in conduct that disrupted worshippers.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observing
Adjective
-
Legal observers are neutral, non-participating watchers who often attend police actions to witness, document and monitor law enforcement behavior.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Some of that can surely be chalked up to missing out on the rest and recharge that non-participating players took advantage of during that break, and McLellan confirmed recently that Larkin came back from the tournament banged up, which hampered him.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Stamos-Buesig was aware at the time that Knox had recently been convicted of stealing money, but thought only a few thousand dollars had been taken.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Wexner’s attorneys told prosecutors Epstein owned a property about a half mile away and that Wexner’s security team was not aware of any inappropriate incident occurring on the Wexner property.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
However, scientists need more observations to determine how common this process truly is.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The double Sundance win has already fired up 2026-27 awards season watchers, with observations that Best Picture nominee Minari and Best Picture winner CODA both achieved the same feat in 2021 and 2021 respectively.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Writing isn’t about compiling a list of rules and then obeying them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
If money talks, there clearly was a feeling George violated the letter of the law by obeying the spirit of her profession.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When David Bazzel first approached then-University of Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles about celebrating the top assistant coach in college football, Broyles said five months was not enough time to put on a first-class banquet.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
On a holiday celebrating love and affection, thousands of enthusiastic basketball fans showed up at Intuit Dome to cheer for their favorite NBA players in a trifecta of skills competitions on the eve of the league’s 75th annual All-Star Game.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the Apple Podcasts app, users will be able to switch between watching and listening to shows, as is the case on Spotify, potentially setting them up as a more direct competitor Users can watch video from within the app and move to horizontal full display and download videos to watch offline.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, the crowd—which included Keke Palmer, Issa Rae, Amy Madigan, and Jesse Plemons—stayed seated and enjoyed a chill meal while watching the SNL star host do her thing.—
Paul Chi,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Related Stories Taking the podium, Elstner, who was visibly moved, delivered a deeply personal speech reflecting on a 30-year journey between Germany and France.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Here, with Erivo embodying everyone from vampire to vampire hunter, doctor to madman, lover and suitor, there is a growing sense of connection between them all, particularly a well of unconscious desire that Dracula is reflecting, rather than merely exploiting.—
Demetrios Matheou,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Upon noticing a doorbell camera, the subject calmly seeks foliage from Guthrie’s porch area to try and obscure the lens.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Video footage shows the person approaching the front door, noticing the camera and trying to cover the lens with their hand.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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