Synonyms of observes

observes

verb

present tense third-person singular of observe

1

as in follows

to act according to the commands of

you must observe all the rules of this school, not simply the ones that meet with your personal approval

Synonyms & Similar Words

• follows
• obeys
• conforms (to)
• adheres (to)
• complies (with)
• keeps to
• minds
• falls in with
• hears
• abides by
• goose-steps (to)
• notices
• watches
• submits (to)
• yields (to)
• defers (to)
• surrenders (to)
• attends
• agrees (to)
• regards
• heeds
• takes
• notes
• assents (to)
• accedes (to)
• marks
• listens (to)
• acquiesces (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defies
• disobeys
• refuses
• leads
• directs
• dares
• rebels (against)
• ignores
• repudiates
• renounces
• challenges
• disregards
• dismisses
• overlooks
• violates
• passes over
• breaks
• derides
• scorns
• transgresses
• mocks
• opposes
• flouts
• disobliges
• brushes (off)
• resists
• shrugs off
• winks (at)
• infringes
• breaches
• withstands
• scoffs (at)
• disputes
• pooh-poohs
• fights
• tunes out
• combats
• contests
• revolts (against)
• overpasses
• bucks
• mutinies (against)

2

as in celebrates

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony

a time when few people in New England observed Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• celebrates
• commemorates
• keeps
• blesses
• remembers
• lauds
• sanctifies
• consecrates
• praises
• honors
• memorializes
• solemnizes
• fetes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• violates
• breaks
• ignores
• forgets
• neglects
• disregards
• transgresses
• overlooks
• blows off

3

as in watches

to keep one's eyes on

happily spent many hours observing the birds at the backyard feeder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• watches
• eyes
• follows
• sees
• perceives
• stares
• looks
• beholds
• gazes
• views
• monitors
• has one's eye on
• gapes
• gawks
• regards
• peers
• wakes
• looks on
• glares
• guards
• goggles
• espies
• studies
• spies
• wards
• peeks
• rubbernecks
• glimpses
• glances
• bird-dogs
• peeps

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• winks
• blinks

4

as in reflects

to make a statement of one's opinion

"I think you might be mistaken," he observed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reflects
• remarks
• comments
• opines
• notes
• says
• commentates
• editorializes
• weighs in
• allows
• speaks
• states
• speculates
• verbalizes
• tells
• articulates
• utters
• surmises
• expresses
• vocalizes
• supposes
• talks
• conjectures
• guesses
• daresays

5

as in notices

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes

she observed that the weather had changed again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• notices
• sees
• eyes
• spots
• regards
• perceives
• discerns
• remarks
• notes
• beholds
• distinguishes
• watches
• looks (at)
• witnesses
• sights
• spies
• views
• identifies
• espies
• catches
• descries
• considers
• gets a load of
• lays eyes on
• sets eyes on
• examines
• scrutinizes
• inspects
• heeds
• picks out
• marks
• attends (to)
• surveys
• scans
• makes out
• studies
• glimpses
• minds
• picks up
• peers (at)
• glances (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignores
• neglects
• disregards
• passes over
• misses
• overlooks
• overpasses

6

as in notes

to take notice of and be guided by

generally observes the suggestions of the experts regarding baby care

Synonyms & Similar Words

• follows
• notes
• obeys
• considers
• regards
• watches
• respects
• listens (to)
• heeds
• contemplates
• hears
• minds
• weighs
• ponders
• sees
• keeps
• notices
• mulls
• conforms (to)
• complies (with)
• attends (to)
• marks
• hearkens (to)
• harks (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignores
• disregards
• dismisses
• neglects
• scorns
• passes over
• discounts
• defies
• flouts
• shrugs off
• glosses (over)
• brushes (aside or off)
• tunes out
• pooh-poohs
• glozes (over)
• snubs
• slights

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of observes

But, as Zirin observes, Zinn’s version of the American story was far from universally acclaimed. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026

As coach and consultant Deborah Grayson Riegel observes on the Harvard Business Review podcast, effective delegation is associated with greater productivity. — Carol Geffner, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

As Hitchcock observes, Roosevelt’s personal motivations and deepest convictions are notoriously difficult to parse. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks within seven days if the United States lifts its naval blockade, eases oil sanctions and observes a Lebanon ceasefire. — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

The play becomes an intellectual exercise — often a technically compelling one, and one that thankfully observes the comedy of Chekhov’s struggling souls as much as their tragedy. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Permanent daylight saving time would have little effect during summer because Ohio already observes daylight saving time from March through November. — Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2026

As blood soaks her nightgown, Lizzie calmly observes the scene of the crime. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

And this responsibility is worth remembering as the nation and Connecticut observes Gold Star Mothers and Family Day. — Cristina Johnson, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026