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ob·serve

/əbˈzərv/

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verb
verb: observe; 3rd person present: observes; past tense: observed; past
participle: observed; gerund or present participle: observing
1. 1.
notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant.
"young people observe that decisions are made by others"
Similar:
notice
see
note
perceive
discern
remark
spot
detect
discover
distinguish
make out
espy
descry
behold
Opposite:
overlook
fail to see
o watch (someone or something) carefully and attentively.
"Rob stood in the hallway, where he could observe the happenings on the
street"
Similar:
watch
see
look at
eye
contemplate
view
survey
regard
witness
keep an eye on
scrutinize
keep under observation
keep watch on
keep under surveillance
monitor
keep under scrutiny
watch like a hawk
keep a weather eye on
spy on
check out
reconnoiter
get a load of
keep tabs on
keep a tab on
case
keep a beady eye on
clock
recce
eyeball
twig
surveil
o take note of or detect (something) in the course of a scientific study.
"the behavior observed in groups of chimpanzees"
2. 2.
make a remark.
"“It's chilly,” she observed"
Similar:
comment
remark
say
mention
note
declare
announce
state
utter
pronounce
interpose
interject
opine
3. 3.
fulfill or comply with (a social, legal, ethical, or religious obligation).
"a tribunal must observe the principles of natural justice"
Similar:
comply with
abide by
keep
obey
adhere to
conform to
heed
honor
respect
be heedful of
pay attention to
follow
acquiesce in
consent to
accept
defer to
fulfill
stand by
Opposite:
disregard
ignore
break
o maintain (silence) in compliance with a rule or custom, or temporarily as a mark
of respect.
"a minute's silence will be observed"
o perform or take part in (a rite or ceremony).
"relations gather to observe the funeral rites"
o celebrate or acknowledge (an anniversary).
"many observed the one-year anniversary of the flood"
Similar:
participate in
partake in
be present at
celebrate
keep
commemorate
solemnize
mark
memorialize
remember
recognize
Origin

late Middle English (in observe (sense 3)): from Old French observer, from Latin observare ‘to
watch’, from ob- ‘towards’ + servare ‘attend to, look at’.

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