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
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 observing
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
That means its peak brightness may coincide with its most difficult observing conditions.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
For an even more enhanced observing experience, find a dark environment away from bright lights to attend the total eclipse show.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
There is discussion in the news nationwide about legal observing and know-your-rights training sessions.
—Heidi Reynolds-Stenson, The Conversation, 29 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
Jamie Carter, Space.com, 8 May 2026
New documents released by the Pentagon reveal that the Apollo 17 astronauts reported observing unidentified phenomenon during three consecutive days of their mission.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 May 2026
In the documents, astronauts describe observing flashes of light, drifting particles and distant objects while traveling to and from the Moon.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Scientists began observing a steep downward trend.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was prohibited from holding a private Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, the first time in centuries Catholic leaders have been prevented from observing Palm Sunday at the church.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
But part of the allure of watching international productions is observing how familiar genres get reshaped by different cultural expectations.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 May 2026
The free compost offerings coincide with observing the annual International Compost Awareness Week.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Fundamentally, birding is about observing wild birds in all their glory.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 1 May 2026
Noun
With upcoming observing runs from the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration expected to deliver even more data, scientists hope to refine these categories and test whether this three-family model truly holds.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
That means its peak brightness may coincide with its most difficult observing conditions.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
For an even more enhanced observing experience, find a dark environment away from bright lights to attend the total eclipse show.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
There is discussion in the news nationwide about legal observing and know-your-rights training sessions.
—Heidi Reynolds-Stenson, The Conversation, 29 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
This is the monthly observing window — when moonlight no longer overwhelms the fainter stars and the sky begins to reveal itself again.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 8 May 2026
New documents released by the Pentagon reveal that the Apollo 17 astronauts reported observing unidentified phenomenon during three consecutive days of their mission.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 May 2026
In the documents, astronauts describe observing flashes of light, drifting particles and distant objects while traveling to and from the Moon.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Scientists began observing a steep downward trend.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was prohibited from holding a private Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, the first time in centuries Catholic leaders have been prevented from observing Palm Sunday at the church.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
But part of the allure of watching international productions is observing how familiar genres get reshaped by different cultural expectations.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 May 2026
The free compost offerings coincide with observing the annual International Compost Awareness Week.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Fundamentally, birding is about observing wild birds in all their glory.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 1 May 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
-
He had been engaged in a months-long chaste affair with Jane Seymour that Anne was aware of and angry about.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
Toulouse, aware of the level of interest, sanctioned a move in the belief that Canvot would become an outstanding talent.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite these observations, Walter was not seen by a doctor until two days after his injuries occurred.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
The comparison to woodpeckers emerged naturally from these observations.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Dupree confided in Firecracker about how his church was destroyed by one of Homelander's obeying supes and asked for her help in rebuilding.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Footage from the scene shows the group obeying police instructions when a plain clothes officer grabbed Salman’s hand, twisting it and causing a fracture in her wrist.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a special warmth in celebrating Mother’s Day.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
Hand Me Downs is a series, with a new essay appearing each day through Mother’s Day, celebrating the gifts—tangible and intangible—that our mothers give us.—
Lucie Franc de Ferriere,
Vogue,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Bowles loves watching people exit the arena with their empty Twigs.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Russians watching the parade from farther away would also have noticed some differences.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The scholarships support both academic and vocational college pursuits, reflecting the club’s commitment to a wide range of educational goals.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Shares of Birkenstock slipped in pre-market trading after the clog-brand posted second-quarter results reflecting in part the impact from the Middle East war.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Regular practice is key to noticing benefits.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
-
At the same time, your confidence grows and people are noticing.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observing. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
