: a representative sent to observe but not participate officially in an activity (such as a meeting or war)
b
: an expert analyst and commentator in a particular field
political observers
Synonyms
bystander
onlooker
spectator
viewer
watcher
See all Synonyms & Antonyms
Example Sentences
According to one observer, the event was poorly organized. The star is not visible to an observer without a telescope. According to one military observer, this change comes after years of planning. Observers say the economy is improving. The class has an observer today, so please be on your best behavior.
Recent Examples on the WebMark Richards was an icon in the Washington, D.C. weather community for 43 years as an observer at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Keith Allen, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2022 ABS Capital Partner Bion Ludwig will sit as an observer on the board. Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2022 Probably, in the sense that those years of my life were so formative for me, as a thinker, as an observer of the world. Joshua Rothkopf, EW.com, 30 June 2022 Stotts also spent time with the Jazz last year, essentially as an observer — people like him here. Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 June 2022 As responding officers circled the area looking for the gunmen, an observer directed them toward a man, later identified as Humphrey, who matched the suspect’s description and was walking down Ronan Avenue. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2022 Public tallies, including one by a local election observer group, added up to a Ruto win with just over 50% of the votes. Cara Anna, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 But his depiction of himself in court and on social media as a peaceful observer targeted for political reasons prompted an angry lecture from the judge. Rachel Weiner, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Aug. 2022 The incident occurred during a portion of practice that was not open to the media, but related by a practice observer.San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1550, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing observer
casual observer
inter-observer
casual observer
inter-observer
observer
noun
as in spectator
someone who sees or watches something observers of the boxing match seemed to be divided as to who won