1
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
the observance of this family tradition would make your grandmother very happy observance of the smoking ban in public buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
some religions require very specific observances on holy days
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in awareness
a state of being aware
if you've been doing any significant housecleaning, it has escaped my observance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 observance
Doors opened; doors narrowed again when Jewish distinctiveness reasserted itself, whether through religious observance, Zionism, or simple refusal to disappear.
—
Kenneth L. Marcus, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
May is Healthy Vision Month, an annual observance established by the National Eye Institute to encourage Americans to make eye health a priority.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Worshippers can now freely gather at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites for major religious celebrations, including Orthodox Easter and Ramadan observances.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The city manager was also directed to work with labor groups to rename the observance of Cesar Chavez Day to Farm Workers Day, which state leaders have already done, or consider an alternative floating holiday for city employees.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observance
Kenneth L. Marcus, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
May is Healthy Vision Month, an annual observance established by the National Eye Institute to encourage Americans to make eye health a priority.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Worshippers can now freely gather at Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sites for major religious celebrations, including Orthodox Easter and Ramadan observances.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The city manager was also directed to work with labor groups to rename the observance of Cesar Chavez Day to Farm Workers Day, which state leaders have already done, or consider an alternative floating holiday for city employees.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observance
Noun
-
The company’s adherence to reserve studies and balances supporting the HOASnapshot reviews would protect them from litigation should an HOA file suit over an unflattering report, Brady said.—
Amancai Biraben,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Improved comfort was linked with better adherence to shorter fasting protocols.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Former Canadiens captain Yvan Cournoyer entered the Bell Centre from that plaza holding a torch, walked it into the building and the arena bowl, setting off the Canadiens’ traditional playoff ritual of the ice catching fire, and the building roared.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This year’s Kentucky Derby will be Buttleman’s 31st as the official bugler at Churchill Downs, and over the years, the musician has developed a pre-race ritual.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s this awareness that something could go wrong.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride brings together classic and vintage motorcycle riders to raise money and awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 2016, Bermudez went to work for UC San Diego as a compliance officer, and a few years later moved to the bench in Imperial County.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The transparency afforded by onchain markets makes global compliance more effective than ever.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The winning creators won’t need to attend a ceremony.—
T. M. Brown,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The parties and the protests The dinner, which will be televised live by CNN and other channels, is the centerpiece of the weekend’s social calendar, surrounded by more than a dozen brunches, ceremonies, receptions and late-night parties.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Companies are required, under threat of criminal penalties, to bring new information to the government’s attention.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Lawyers who represent Silicon Valley’s biggest AI firms are paying attention.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The suspect, arrested on suspicion of robbery and brought to the hospital for observation, obtained a gun despite weapon detection screening.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Intentional breathing, meditation and yoga are all ways to practice mindfulness.—
Lesly Gregory,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observance. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
