observe

verb

əb-ˈzərv How to pronounce observe (audio)
Definition of observenext
Enter your own sentence containing observe , and get words to replace it.
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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

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2
as in to celebrate
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony a time when few people in New England observed Christmas

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3
as in to watch
to keep one's eyes on happily spent many hours observing the birds at the backyard feeder

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4
as in to reflect
to make a statement of one's opinion "I think you might be mistaken," he observed

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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

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6
as in to follow
to take notice of and be guided by generally observes the suggestions of the experts regarding baby care

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word observe different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of observe are celebrate, commemorate, and keep. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

When is celebrate a more appropriate choice than observe?

The meanings of celebrate and observe largely overlap; however, celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

When is it sensible to use commemorate instead of observe?

Although the words commemorate and observe have much in common, commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When could keep be used to replace observe?

While the synonyms keep and observe are close in meaning, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

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 Coach, Michael Bublé observed that the two were incredible at just 21. — Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Of the former, Vogel observed how David and his followers were constantly filming themselves on smartphones and tried to create a visual cacophony, often filming the LCD screens of their devices. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025 Henry observed the all important thing that changed that team in those couple of games. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 But Judy accurately observed that there were obvious signs pointing toward Tanya’s death in Season 2: A fortune teller basically telling her Greg was manipulating her; the story Tanya hears about a rich matriarch being killed for her house; the comparisons between her and tragic heroines in operas. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for observe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe
  1. obey
  2. celebrate
  3. watch
  4. reflect
  5. notice
  6. follow
  7. commemorate
  8. eye
Verb
  • Hopefully, a crackdown on those who fail to obey the law or engage in unsafe practices behind the wheel will bring them to their senses.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The Infiniti driver was issued an infraction for traveling unreasonably fast and failure to obey a traffic control signal, according to police.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of obey
Verb
  • The 34-year-old World Cup winner celebrates the birthdays of his three children on the same day, April 8 – and none of them were born in the same year.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers will celebrate their 2024 World Series championship with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, kicking off a string of sports celebrations in Washington this month.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of celebrate
Verb
  • Then watch The Pitt (Max) Photo: Max This is the year’s best medical procedural and the Second Coming of a ’90s TV procedural, reborn in the guise of a streaming show.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Though the private sector is also guilty of failure here, the public nature of so much political behavior means the folly is be particularly observable when watching political leaders.
    — Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of watch
Verb
  • Creator Darren Star reflected on the wig reveal seen around the world — when Kimberly reappears after the accident and de-wigs to display a giant brain surgery scar — to Entertainment Weekly in 2019.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Tucked away after a swarm of students asked him tons of questions on his career to better their own, Chavarria, a CFDA Award-winning designer, reflected on his childhood, which is where his love of fashion was born.
    — Essence, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of reflect
Verb
  • According to the Miami Herald, a separate guest stayed in the room with Tillman's dead body in the closet, but didn't notice it.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Filing electronically is usually the fastest way for taxpayers to receive their refunds, as the system flags common errors that taxpayers may otherwise not notice.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of notice
Verb
  • Hacks follows the hilariously toxic relationship between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a legendary Las Vegas comedian trying to stage a comeback, and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), a younger sad sack comedy writer.
    — Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Earlier: The 2025 Cannes Film Festival lineup was revealed bright and early, starting at 5 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 10 for those following in the States.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of follow
Verb
  • On Friday, residents can commemorate him at the 20th annual Reclaim The Dream Candlelight Memorial and Gospel Concert.
    — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Zoom in: The French Quarter's 126 original tiles were a gift from Spain to commemorate the city's Spanish era, according to a city press release.
    — Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of commemorate
Verb
  • Democrats are also eyeing an opportunity to advance with a win in the Great Lakes state.
    — Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Senate Republicans are eyeing potential consideration on a forthcoming compromise budget resolution this week to advance President Trump’s tax agenda.
    — Aris Folley, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of eye

Browse Nearby Words

observatory
observe
observed
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Cite this Entry

“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observe. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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