1
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

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 Other concerns about daylight saving time included disruptions to harvesting schedules for farmers, interference with religious observances based on solar and lunar time, and potential delays in reworking computer systems programmed to switch twice a year. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025 Senior Programming is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 In a nationwide first, schools across New York are closed on Wednesday in observance of the Lunar New Year. April Rubin, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025 Is Citibank open on Inauguration Day? Citibank, which operates roughly 650 banks in 13 states, will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for observance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observance
Noun
  • This encourages adherence to your management practices and strengthens brand trust.
    Richard Lindhorn, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The National Science Foundation — an independent federal agency that funds scientific research around the globe — has fired 168 probationary employees in adherence to orders from the White House, according to an agency spokesperson.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • These rituals will, of course, serve her well with the upcoming tour and music video drops, too.
    Akili King, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025
  • When the Western military left, islanders created makeshift imitations of the infrastructure — control towers built from bamboo, a plane carved from wood — in the hope that this ritual would cause more cargo to arrive.
    Laura Regensdorf Katharine Sohn Laura Bannister Osman Can Yerebakan Shannon Adducci, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Kristen, who has since given birth to sons Jack, 11, and Tommy, 8, has a marketing background and went to work right away to help create awareness.
    Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
  • After all, with a little bit of user training and awareness, the notion that a browser update prompt would appear on a random site is obviously a huge red flag.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Ongoing technical support is necessary to ensure smooth operation, and strict data privacy compliance must also be maintained to protect customer information.
    Karl Moore, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Cleveland's ordinances would apply to a broader range of tobacco products, with penalties leveled against businesses to incentivize compliance.
    Sam Allard, Axios, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Post misconstrues video of Trump at Gabbard's swearing-in ceremony The Threads post appeared to draw a false conclusion from Salcedo's remarks about not seeing Gabbard being sworn in during the Feb. 12 edition of his program.
    Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The annual ceremony will take place in Los Angeles in the fall.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • There’s an omnipresent drive to keep tending to the wheat and cotton harvests that are the Li livelihood, requiring days and nights of labor and attention.
    Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
  • As a result, Daisy was subsequently given to the animal welfare charity and taken to a vet for medical attention.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Keith remains to a large degree elusive, but Magaro subtly gives us insight into what drives his artistry, which is then augmented by Watts’ observations, from a critic’s P.O.V., and those of Manfred, a protective friend and professional associate with a profound respect for Jarrett’s gifts.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025
  • After the initial observations in March, a second observation campaign has been planned for May.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • 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.
    Lily Templeton, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025
  • In Chicago, a second roll-call vote will take place, this one ceremonial.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observance. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on observance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!