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

\/\/ not all holidays are observed<\/em> nationally<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'celebrate' a more appropriate choice than 'observe'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of celebrate<\/em><\/a> and observe<\/em> largely overlap; however, celebrate<\/em> suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.<\/p>

\/\/ traditionally celebrates<\/em> Thanksgiving with a huge dinner<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'commemorate' instead of 'observe'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words commemorate<\/em><\/a> and observe<\/em> have much in common, commemorate<\/em> suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.<\/p>

\/\/ commemorate<\/em> Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'keep' be used to replace 'observe'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms keep<\/em><\/a> and observe<\/em> are close in meaning, keep<\/em> stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.<\/p>

\/\/ kept<\/em> the Sabbath by refraining from work<\/p>" } } ] }

observe

verb

É™b-ˈzÉ™rv How to pronounce observe (audio)
Definition of observenext
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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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

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 What Koolhaas observed in urban form has quietly taken hold inside organizations. —Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026 Analysts have observed that Moscow has been building up reserves and its operations are expected to gain tempo as the spring warmth dries the terrain. —ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026 Heavy explosions shook Dubai as air defenses intercepted incoming fire over the city, where many were observing Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. —Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026 Air defenses were activated across the region as people observed Eid al-Fitr, the end of the month of Ramadan and one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026 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
  • Timberlake was initially arrested in June 2024 after police stopped him for weaving out of his lane and failing to obey a stop sign.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Our people will never obey orders from a handful of stateless bandits.
    — Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of obey
Verb
  • Eight strikeouts shy of 250 for her career entering the game, Langford hit that mark against the lead-off batter in the top of the sixth, and her team gathered around its standout hurler on the mound to celebrate.
    — Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
  • As Fragrance Day approaches each March, the industry celebrates artistry, launches and consumer engagement.
    — Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of celebrate
Verb
  • Injured and back home in Norway for the birth of his son, Bakke watched Leeds lose their Premier League status on a television set in a maternity ward.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Fans say the best part was watching the games in person compared to just watching it on TV at home or at a bar.
    — Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of watch
Verb
  • Strugglers also reflect the larger societal and political shifts that have swept through India.
    — Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The early transition reflects a broader reality across Summit County, where thin snowpack and warm temperatures have shortened the ski season and pushed some winter operations to close early.
    — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of reflect
Verb
  • James turned forty-one at the end of that month, an age at which many people start to notice the normal degeneration of their tendons and joints.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • In 2024, the Rowes noticed a significant change in Ralph's behavior.
    — Will Croxton, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of notice
Verb
  • Vargas unveiled Ohtani's mural in 2024, followed by another honoring Fernando Valenzuela in 2025, both years when the Dodgers won the World Series.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The board won’t vote until April 28, following an April 14 public hearing.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of follow
Verb
  • One week after the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge will close to car traffic to commemorate its 100th anniversary.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The festival of Passover commemorates the freedom of the Jewish nation from enslavement in Ancient Egypt, some 3338 years ago, in 1313 BCE.
    — Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of commemorate
Verb
  • But Republicans are eyeing the inclusion of elements of the legislation into reconciliation as a means of getting it across the finish line instead.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Sources said the pair were eager to reteam following their success with that title and found the 13 Going on 30 reboot to be the perfect opportunity, eyeing Lerman as Bader’s romantic counterpart from the jump.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
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 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on observe

Nglish: Translation of observe for Spanish Speakers

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