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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Those that don’t remain fixed on the inner bezel, while those that observe it are positioned on a separate outer bezel. — Carol Besler, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026 According to criminal complaint documents, a park ranger observed a vehicle, operated by Horsch, 44, parked in the area of Independence National Historical Park without a necessary police placard and next to a fire hydrant. — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 But as local waters warm, researchers have observed young whites venturing into New England waters sooner, bringing them dangerously close to the adult predators, Quevedo said. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Commentators from across the political spectrum have observed that, while opponents might cite water or electricity usage as their reasons, there are deeper rationales for the reaction against data centers. — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for observe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for observe

Verb

Another Portage Police officer also filed a resisting law enforcement charge because Hilliard failed to obey his commands to stop.

— Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026
People are riding e-bikes and e-motorcycles, sometimes riding recklessly, traveling at high speeds, or not obeying the rules of the road.

— Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of obey

Verb

With 33 seconds left in Round 9, Itauma’s trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel, leaving Hrgović to celebrate making history.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Jenner, who just celebrated her 29th birthday on August 10, announced the non-pregnancy news in an interview with WhoWhatWear.

— Marzia Nicolini, Vanity Fair, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of celebrate

Verb

The telescope may even be able to glimpse light reflecting off the tops of clouds on these planets.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
The integration of laser systems on the lightweight, highly mobile ISV platform reflects a commitment to scalable, adaptable, and expeditionary force protection solutions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of reflect

Verb

The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
These wild swings in the numbers came while residents here didn’t notice any change to the slow but steady arrival of newcomers in dilapidated coaches.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

Carillo delivered a speech so rousing, witty and tender all at once that following her became something of an impossibility.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Braden Montgomery singled and Colson Montgomery followed with the three-run home run, giving the Sox a 4-0 lead.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of follow

Verb

Passports aren’t the only things being altered to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
The bourbon is meant to commemorate the September 2 birthday of Old Forester founder George Garvin Brown, who opened the distillery in 1870.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of commemorate

Verb

Last year, Killian was on a list with other campuses that appear to be eyed for closure.

— Austin Horn August 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Production is being eyed for November, filming primarily in the Tampa/Clearwater area, where the original Hooters restaurant opened in 1983.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of eye

Browse Nearby Words

observatory

observe

observed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observe. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of observe

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes