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Synonyms

observe

American

[uhb-zurv] / əbˈzɜrv /

verb (used with object)

to see, watch, perceive, or notice.

He observed the passersby in the street.

Antonyms:

ignore
to regard with attention, especially so as to see or learn something.

I want you to observe her reaction to the judge's question.

Synonyms:

note

Antonyms:

ignore
to watch, view, or note for a scientific, official, or other special purpose.

to observe an eclipse.

Antonyms:

ignore
to state by way of comment; remark.

He observed frequently that clerks were not as courteous as they used to be.

Synonyms:

say, mention
to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct, etc..

You must observe quiet.
to obey, comply with, or conform to.

to observe laws.

Synonyms:

fulfill, follow

Antonyms:

ignore
to show regard for by some appropriate procedure, ceremony, etc..

to observe Palm Sunday.

Synonyms:

keep, celebrate

Antonyms:

ignore
to perform duly or solemnize (ceremonies, rites, etc.).

Antonyms:

ignore
to note or inspect closely for an omen or sign of future events.

verb (used without object)

to notice.
to act as an observer.
to remark or comment (usually followed by on orupon ).

observe British

/ əbˈzɜːv /

verb

(tr; may take a clause as object) to see; perceive; notice

we have observed that you steal
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to watch (something) carefully; pay attention to (something)
to make observations of (something), esp scientific ones
to make a comment or remark

the speaker observed that times had changed
(tr) to abide by, keep, or follow (a custom, tradition, law, holiday, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

Observe, witness imply paying strict attention to what one sees or perceives. Both are “continuative” in action. To observe is to mark or be attentive to something seen, heard, etc.; to consider carefully; to watch steadily: to observe the behavior of birds, a person's pronunciation. To witness, formerly to be present when something was happening, has added the idea of having observed with sufficient care to be able to give an account as evidence: to witness an accident.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of observe

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English observen, from Middle French observer, from Latin observāre “to watch, regard, attend to,” equivalent to ob- ob- + servāre “to keep, save, pay heed to”

Explanation

Observe is often used to mean “remark” or “comment.” When trying to start up a conversation with an attractive stranger, you might observe that it’s raining outside (but hopefully you’ll come up with something more interesting to say). Observe has several secondary meanings, one of which is “notice” or “discover.” If you start a conversation with that attractive stranger, you’ll probably observe whether he or she seems interested in talking to you. Observe can also mean “watch carefully with great interest”; you might be tempted to observe the attractive stranger in this manner, but that might make him or her uncomfortable. Try to stay cool.

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Vocabulary lists containing observe

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

observe observes observed observing

This is at the lower end of guidance, they observe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

This made it possible to observe the underlying interaction between the structured light and the molecular shape more directly.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

"They get to observe, they get to have all of these gorgeous opportunities to engage with one another and they get to test their ideas on their own terms," she said.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

But some border cities, as well as Baja California, observe daylight saving time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

But Henry, free as he was to observe the Corcorans in their own habitat, soon figured out what was going on.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

In a brutally self-aware confession, Yasmina observes, “I carry bitterness for humanity, for relationships and for myself.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

“If Trump’s public pronouncements are his own personal property, he can sell information about them or do whatever he likes with them,” observes business law expert Ann Lipton of the University of Colorado.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

To put the expected earnings growth in perspective, that would usually be associated with a profit increase seen as an economy recovering from recession, Evercore observes.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

"But then we see other countries like Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and so forth, which are not catching up," Szymanski observes.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

He observes me coolly, straightens his sleeves, and goes back into the tent.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

"The mechanism we identify could contribute to the elevated gold contents observed in hydrothermal systems in subduction zones," says Timm.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

The clouds, which have been observed during wildfires in Canada and Australia, are created by intense heat that lifts hot smoky air and causes the water vapor to condense into ash.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Jonna Robertson, a trip advisor at New York-based Fora Travel, said she had observed the phenomenon in the United States, which has also seen its share of sweltering weather.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

“So that’s where our premiums went,” one guest observed with a low whistle as he arrived at the state-of-the art headquarters Reilly built not long after the Proposition 103 campaign.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

For the rest of the day, I observed the Humans more closely, trying to understand their ways.

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Cooper said he concluded the men were armed after observing movements that differed from ordinary punching.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

William Salt - an intern analyst - was discovered observing a Middlesbrough training session, and the saga known as Spygate began.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson said consumers have been "very resilient," with the company observing no shifts in vehicle preference due to higher gasoline prices resulting from the US-Iran war.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

Chief Executive He Xiaopeng said the company decided to offer the L03 in both battery-electric and extended-range versions after observing that charging infrastructure remains underdeveloped in many overseas markets, including parts of Mexico and Africa.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

But before she could answer, Duane, who was quietly observing everybody, spoke up.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023