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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

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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 The experts also reported that this response is akin to the bond observed between human mothers and their babies. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 The trooper allegedly observed a woman in the driver’s seat who appeared to be confused. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025 Besides spreading awareness on social media, Smith has been observing the waters and reaching out to authorities as well people fishing near the river to inform them that his stepson remains missing, NJ.com reported. David Chiu, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025 In 1969 astronauts on NASA’s Apollo 12 lunar mission observed Earth block our star during their journey home. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for observe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe
Verb
  • In an initial court appearance on the day of his arrest, Sanchez pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated, and has since pleaded not guilty to lesser civil charges of refusing a chemical test and failure to obey traffic control devices.
    Peter D'Abrosca, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The decision to kill it was an instance of obeying in advance.
    Ruth Marcus, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The mark was anticipated and celebrated only lightly by Curry and the Warriors in the lead-up.
    Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Advertisement Holi has its origins in Hindu mythology and lore and celebrates the divine love between the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha, and signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation.
    ASSOCIATED PRESS, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Full Time First Looks What to watch: Need a top-level refresher on last season’s NWSL playoffs?
    Emily Olsen and more, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • On Monday at 4:31 a.m. the NWS Hanford CA issued a high wind watch valid from Wednesday 8 a.m. until Thursday 11 p.m.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Each trophy reflects Jame Eagan’s age at the time that it’s awarded.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The move comes as Raymond James increased its target price for Allegiant stock from $110 per share to $125, reflecting the airline’s potential for improved margins once freed from the Sunseeker burden.
    Jackie Snow, Quartz, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The new policy allows Ferbert to skip the time-consuming step of asking the council for permission in the form of a briefing session that must be scheduled days in advance and publicly noticed.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Retailers often anticipate a bump in sales around dividend time each year and even small businesses notice the uptick.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • It’s found in the mind fog following the relief of a big win at work, the hours spent zoning out instead of caring for yourself by getting a good night’s sleep, and the failure to listen to your child tell you about their day due to an obsession with getting your inbox to zero.
    Keyaira Boone, Essence, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The tractor-trailers were partly submerged in Morey Pond on the Ashford-Union line following the collision, according to the warrant affidavit for the arrest of Desruisseaux.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The production commemorates the 1875 debut of Ukrainian epic songs and the bandura, a Ukrainian multi-stringed musical instrument.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • What Happens Next On Thursday, the Vatican will commemorate the 12th anniversary of Pope Francis' election—the first time the milestone will be marked with him out of public view, yet still leading the Church.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Developers hope to include a restaurant in the new commercial space and are eyeing the House of Hits building, which collapsed in 2021, for a music entertainment venue.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Nations across the globe are eyeing the success of their neighbors in medical tourism and want in.
    Keydra Manns, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observe. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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