OBSERVE Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

observe

verb

əb-ˈzərv

Definition of observe next

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

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blink
wink

as in to reflect

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 According to Gooding, who is reprising his role as Meeks-Martin in Scream VII, fans should brace themselves, based on what he's observed on set. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 If there’s a fear of dogs, for example, the child might begin by looking at pictures of the animals, then observing one through a window, before eventually interacting with a small, gentle dog, Silverman said. —

Julianna Bragg, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025 The driver was then observed getting into the school bus and driving off with another man. —

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 5 Feb. 2025 Detectives observed stippling -- a burn pattern caused by gunpowder exploding from a weapon fired at close range -- on Jiang's face. —

Emma Steele, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for observe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe

Verb

However, pedestrians and bicyclists need to obey the rules of the road that apply to them.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
Still, the court ordered them not to participate in any fraternity parties, not to participate in any recruitment events for the fraternity, and to obey all laws, including those related to alcohol consumption.

— Caleb Lunetta, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025