Synonyms of observe
1
as in to obey
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 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
3
as in to watch
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 to reflect
to make a statement of one's opinion
"I think you might be mistaken," he observed
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to notice
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 to follow
to take notice of and be guided by
generally observes the suggestions of the experts regarding baby care
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in participating
Related Words
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 observe
Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
As Walker worked his way up the Rockies’ ladder, his dad often sat back, observed, and asked around about how his son was doing.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
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
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
The good news is that, as everyone keeps observing, the airport is a notoriously calm place where people are always at their best.
—Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observe
Verb
The wars in Iran and Ukraine will be top of the agenda, while South Africa, which was supposed to attend as an observing nation, says France withdrew its G7 invitation after the US threatened to boycott.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
As Walker worked his way up the Rockies’ ladder, his dad often sat back, observed, and asked around about how his son was doing.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
Verb
In its time orbiting Earth, Hubble has shaped our understanding of the universe by observing the atmospheric composition of planets around other stars and even discovering dark energy – a mysterious force that causes the universe to expand.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
The good news is that, as everyone keeps observing, the airport is a notoriously calm place where people are always at their best.
—Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe
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
-
Her grandmother was aware of the school and had Wairimu referred.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The police opened the investigation into these claims in 2016, and the BBC was made aware in 2017 (though, BBC News has said, then-director-general Tony Hall did not know about the investigation).—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Vera Rubin, an astronomer whose observations of galaxy rotation curves in the 1970s provided the first robust evidence for dark matter's existence, embraced her Jewish faith as a guide to understanding her role in the universe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Let every new person, every new opportunity be greeted with neutrality, then observation, then placement.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even prior to the recent military operations and the accompanying suspicious bets, accusations of insider trading on Polymarket had begun to surface.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Soon after came the accompanying podcast, which shot to the top of the iTunes charts within weeks of its first episode in 2016.—
Séamas O'Reilly,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the senior royals of today still keep a watchful eye on their guests.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Sign-toting protesters walked down Colorado Boulevard under the watchful eye of Pasadena police officers on motorcycles.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Guests can participate in coral reef restoration, ecological monitoring and other hands-on initiatives that help decrease The Nam Hai’s environmental footprint.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Some units focus on gathering intelligence and monitoring surroundings, while others are equipped for direct engagement.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Taurus April 20 – May 20 Simplicity is key to success at present, especially regarding your daily routines.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Edwards just plans to stay present.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For many in Chinatown, the tragedy underscores the risks pedestrians face daily — even those who are vigilant.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Pinecrest police ends the Facebook post warning other neighbors in the area to stay vigilant, and for potential lawbreakers to stay far away.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observe. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
