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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of observe
Jay Jay Cafe #2 at 1001 S. Bowen Road was temporarily closed on May 5 after health inspectors observed a roach infestation at the restaurant.
—
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 May 2025
Sentiment exists for changing the day Memorial Day is observed back to the traditional date of May 30 – it was changed in 1968 to the last Monday in May to give us another three-day weekend.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 May 2025
Not everyone is so careful about observing property lines when mowing grass.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2025
Its central idea is that fashion is different from other art forms in that humans have no choice but to engage with it on a daily basis, unlike a painting or a movie that can be observed from a distance.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for observe
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 May 2025
Sentiment exists for changing the day Memorial Day is observed back to the traditional date of May 30 – it was changed in 1968 to the last Monday in May to give us another three-day weekend.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 May 2025
Not everyone is so careful about observing property lines when mowing grass.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2025
Its central idea is that fashion is different from other art forms in that humans have no choice but to engage with it on a daily basis, unlike a painting or a movie that can be observed from a distance.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for observe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe
Verb
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Life became a quest not to obey, but to understand — and to act morally out of reason, not just faith.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Justice Elena Kagan and Barrett pressed the government's lawyer about whether the Trump administration would obey temporary circuit rulings blocking its policies until the Supreme Court issued final decisions.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
Verb
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While our differences are to be celebrated, humans are humans.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2025
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Since news of the new pope, Robert Prevost, who assumed the name Leo XIV, hit the wires, he has been universally celebrated as being an American from Chicago.—
Rebecca R. Bibbs,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
Verb
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation watched in stunned silence at footage that Trump believed supported his claims that Ramaphosa’s government was turning a blind eye to violence against white Afrikaners.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
22 May 2025
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Republished on May 21 with One UI 8 noticeably missing from Google I/O. Samsung versus Google has not really been a thing yet — but watch this space.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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American flags will be lowered across the country to fly at half-staff to reflect the solemnity of Memorial Day on Monday morning.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
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Abercrombie recorded a remarkable full-year 2024 net sales of $4.95 billion, reflecting a 16% year-over-year increase, and its highest operating margin in over a decade at 15%.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Karen Walsh began to notice a change in her husband back in 2017.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
30 May 2025
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Other journalists noticed a drop-off in performance for the convertibles, and probably more so than the mild weight gains of just about 100 lbs (45 kg) might suggest.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Interestingly, McIlroy then opted not to speak to the media following all four rounds.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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The attacks into Sumy follow a Kremlin directive on May 21 that the military create buffer zones inside northern Ukraine – in Sumy and Kharkiv regions.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
Verb
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The strategic Maharashtra Day release date holds particular significance, as the holiday commemorates the formation of the state where Shivaji’s legacy remains profoundly influential.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 May 2025
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When is Pride Month? Pride Month is observed throughout June to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and highlight their fight for rights.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
Verb
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More recently, speculation has centered on Raquel Regalado eyeing City Hall.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
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Half a century later, President Donald Trump seems to be eyeing a similar diplomatic maneuver, but in reverse: drawing Russia closer to the United States in order to give Washington an advantage in its geopolitical competition with Communist China.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observe. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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