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

"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

Its relative youth and proximity give astronomers an unusual opportunity to observe how newly formed planets interact with the surrounding disk of dust and debris left over from the system's formation.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026

Areas that already do not observe daylight saving time — such as Arizona and Hawaii — would be able to stay on permanent standard time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

Holy relics employed in the proceedings line one wall, another features a one-way mirror that allows family members and novice exorcists to observe.

From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026

“Interesting. It’s difficult to observe if it’s chemiluminescent vertebrate or bioluminescent bacteria.”

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

“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

He observes that new health data is all around, including from Oura rings and smartwatches.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

"I got what I wanted and it doesn't sit right," she observes, describing parties full of "big shots and barbies" whose empty talk makes her "ears bleed".

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

In a note that published Thursday, Bespoke observes that interest in the sector is building fast.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

The discrediting of witnesses can be a highly effective tactic, and Quintilian observes that it can be done against whole categories of witnesses, as well as against individuals.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

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

Orson Welles observed that the duo’s combustible zaniness was so hilarious that it made you wet your pants.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

As Thomas Jefferson observed: “It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Beta Pictoris d avoided detection for years because it is embedded within one of the brightest debris disks astronomers have ever observed.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026

Later, he was observed at a nearby Howard Johnson’s restaurant, having dinner.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 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

Dean Burnett says embarrassment is the awareness of other people observing you and "could find you lacking"

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 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

He made a show of observing me, as if he were examining a horse.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

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