English verb: observe | |||
1. | observe (perception) discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of | ||
Samples | She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water. We found traces of lead in the paint. | ||
Synonyms | detect, discover, find, notice | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Somebody ----s that CLAUSE | ||
Broader (hypernym) | sight, spy | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | catch out, find out, instantiate, see, sense, trace | ||
Verb group | discover, find | ||
2. | observe (communication) make mention of | ||
Samples | She observed that his presentation took up too much time. They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing. | ||
Synonyms | mention, note, remark | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s that CLAUSE | ||
Broader (hypernym) | say, state, tell | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | comment, notice, point out, remark | ||
3. | observe (perception) observe with care or pay close attention to | ||
Samples | Take note of this chemical reaction. | ||
Synonyms | note, take note | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Entail | comprehend, perceive | ||
4. | observe (perception) watch attentively | ||
Samples | Please observe the reaction of these two chemicals. | ||
Examples | The customs agents observe the bags for drugs | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s. Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | watch | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bird, birdwatch, monitor, monitor, reconnoiter, reconnoitre, scout, supervise, track | ||
5. | observe (social) show respect towards | ||
Samples | Honor your parents!. | ||
Synonyms | abide by, honor, honour, respect | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | accept | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | celebrate, lionise, lionize, tolerate | ||
Antonyms | disrespect | ||
6. | observe (social) behave as expected during of holidays or rites | ||
Samples | Keep the commandments. Celebrate Christmas. Observe Yom Kippur. | ||
Synonyms | celebrate, keep | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | commemorate, mark, mourn, solemnise, solemnize | ||
7. | observe (social) follow with the eyes or the mind | ||
Samples | Keep an eye on the baby, please!. The world is watching Sarajevo. She followed the men with the binoculars. | ||
Examples | The children observe the ball | ||
Synonyms | follow, keep an eye on, watch, watch over | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | check, check into, check out, check over, check up on, go over, look into, suss out | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | guard, invigilate, keep tabs on, proctor | ||
Verb group | follow, trace | ||
8. | observe (cognition) stick to correctly or closely | ||
Samples | The pianist kept time with the metronome. Keep count. I cannot keep track of all my employees. | ||
Synonyms | keep, maintain | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
9. | observe (social) conform one's action or practice to | ||
Samples | Keep appointments. She never keeps her promises. We kept to the original conditions of the contract. | ||
Synonyms | keep | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | make good | ||
Antonyms | breach, infract, transgress, go against, offend, violate, break | ||