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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of observance
Certainly, both holidays tend to involve a lot of communal dining, some combined with ritual observances.
—
Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
If only Americans could see the beauty of this observance.
—Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025
Some experts question whether annual observance days like Earth Day still spur meaningful change—or have become performative rituals with limited impact on policy or behavior.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Good Friday, a religious day of observance for Catholics and Christians, is not a federal holiday but some business operations are closed for the day.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observance
Noun
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Elizabeth had maintained a decade of careful adherence to her HIV treatment, but the couple still struggled with consistent condom use.—
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Resistance training adherence has always been reliant on access to the right equipment.—
Noun
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From daily rituals to deep healing, discover how to prioritize mental wellbeing in today’s evolving cultural and professional landscape.—
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The other Cuban beauty wedding rituals included a milk and honey face mask in the days leading up to the wedding (to brighten the skin), and to wash your hair the night before with rainwater (for good luck)—and are both practically required.—
Noun
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Safety concerns are indifferent to days of the week, and increased awareness of the general and hunting public of each other’s presence and enjoyment of the outdoors are already well established in the state.—
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This approach is not a replacement for therapy, but rather a first line of defense in emotional awareness.—
Noun
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Even in the early stages, schema drift, data quality issues and compliance gaps can erode confidence in your data.—
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The village gave the stores a few weeks to remove the product from their shelves, and the village has not had an issue with compliance in the past year, Wold said.—
Noun
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Meghan and Prince Harry first tied the knot in May 2018 in an ornate ceremony at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom.—
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The Pulp Fiction star's 12-year-old daughter, Luna, was seen supporting her brother Cy Busson at his graduation ceremony from Babson College in photos shared to Instagram.—
Noun
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When that connection fails, Peter quickly couples up with another guest, only to abandon her when his father gives him attention.—
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While Khalil’s case drew international attention, Abdalla has had to grapple with the anxieties of learning to be a mother.—
Noun
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But statistician Abraham Wald made a critical observation: those planes survived.—
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Before the Bears return to the field for another round of OTAs next week, here are five observations.—
Noun
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In addition to Ducasse’s culinary mastery, offering a cohesive experience that encompasses the liveried staff in period costumes and the ceremonial is part and parcel of the success of the banquet, according to Révah.—
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For those who missed the game, most of the Chiefs’ scores came in garbage time; the lopsided affair was 24-0 at halftime, and the Eagles’ first score was a ceremonial Jalen Hurts Tush Push.—
Cite this Entry
“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observance. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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