observance

noun

əb-ˈzər-vən(t)s How to pronounce observance (audio)
Definition of observancenext
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

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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

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 Congress officially designated the last Monday in September to honor that observance. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 June 2026 The June nonfarm payrolls report is due out Thursday instead of the usual Friday because the market is closed Friday in observance of the Independence Day holiday. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 June 2026 Also, banks with a presence in North Carolina — including Wells Fargo and Bank of America — won’t open to customers in observance of the national holiday. — Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026 Religious observances during this period are primarily associated with Shiite Muslims. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for observance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observance
  1. adherence
  2. ritual
  3. awareness
  4. compliance
  5. ceremony
  6. attention
  7. observation
  8. rite
Noun
  • As a result of Holzman’s advocacy and Dylan’s example, the singer-songwriter movement was born, once again proving that American music is defined not by its adherence to the past, but by its capacity for reinvention.
    — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Definition of adherence
Noun
  • That the ritual continues Saturday after Saturday, year after year, is its own kind of small miracle.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Supporters argue that the gatherings represent a form of devotion untethered from rigid rituals and the gatekeeping normally associated with temples or religious processions.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • There, the hotel’s overarching theme of kisetsukan, meaning seasonal awareness, is felt most evidently at Iñaki.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • Soundcore V20i Open-Ear Headphones The Soundcore V20i earbuds have an open-ear design and a unique four-position rotatable hook to optimize stability and situational awareness.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
Definition of awareness
Noun
  • Treat cybersecurity as an investment in economic competitiveness and national resilience, not simply regulatory compliance.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Faced with a national IT compliance mandate, Sapporo’s city government needed to modernize over one million lines of legacy code, which Kaplan estimated would have normally taken 200 engineering months of work.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of compliance
Noun
  • He is slated to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan upon arrival, then participate in a bilateral meeting with him after an arrival ceremony, followed by a NATO leaders’ dinner.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce reportedly presented 20-minute vows to each other during their wedding ceremony.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 July 2026
Definition of ceremony
Noun
  • In June 2024, Kelce and Swift were at the center of worldwide attention, even though their relationship wasn’t even a year old.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The retro ensemble caught the attention of fans and press everywhere.
    — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • That's because Costco warehouses will be closed Saturday, July 4, in observation of the holiday, according to the company's website.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Several stores, pharmacies and local businesses are adjusting their hours on Saturday, July 4, or closing in observation of Independence Day.
    — Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
Definition of observation
Noun
  • The society rejected that change, citing a desire for the Latin rite's sense of mystery and formality.
    — Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • In the consecration rite, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, who was excommunicated after being consecrated without papal consent in 1988, placed his hands on the head of each of the four new bishops.
    — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of rite

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observable
observance
observances
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Cite this Entry

“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observance. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on observance

Nglish: Translation of observance for Spanish Speakers

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