Thesaurus results for EVENT

Q: How is the word 'event' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of event are circumstance , episode , incident , and occurrence . While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause. // the events following the assassination

Q: When can 'circumstance' be used instead of 'event'?

The words circumstance and event are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background. // couldn't recall the exact circumstances

Q: When would 'episode' be a good substitute for 'event'?

In some situations, the words episode and event are roughly equivalent. However, episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident. // a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

Q: When is 'incident' a more appropriate choice than 'event'?

While in some cases nearly identical to event , incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance. // a minor wartime incident

Q: When might 'occurrence' be a better fit than 'event'?

Although the words occurrence and event have much in common, occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan. // an encounter that was a chance occurrence

event

noun

i-ˈvent

Definition of event

as in incident

something that happens dinnertime was devoted to talking over the day's events, not to watching television

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in possibility

something that might happen in the event of rain, graduation ceremonies will be held indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in tournament

a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize figure skating is usually one of the most popular events in the winter Olympics

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in party

a social gathering the mayor's evenings are often tied up with one event after another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word event distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of event are circumstance, episode, incident, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When can circumstance be used instead of event?

The words circumstance and event are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

When would episode be a good substitute for event?

In some situations, the words episode and event are roughly equivalent. However, episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

When is incident a more appropriate choice than event?

While in some cases nearly identical to event, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

When might occurrence be a better fit than event?

Although the words occurrence and event have much in common, occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of event The Orionid meteor shower creates one of the most brilliant displays in the night sky each fall — but this year’s celestial event may have a dimmer showing due to a bright moon. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 And the company recently hosted a creator event at the El Capitan Theater and Disney Studios Lot, with some 350 creators to further forge those relationships. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Published on October 15 and initiated by Daniela Horn, the founder of Van Horn gallery, the letter centers around an event that was initially set to be staged at the city’s Heinrich Heine Institute on October 26. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 It is typically known for distributing re-releases, concert films and live events. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for event

Recent Examples of Synonyms for event

Noun

The North has denied responsibility for the incident and dismissed Seoul's demand to apologize and remove its remaining mines.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
The deputies involved in the incident were not wearing body cameras.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of incident

Noun

This discovery establishes a new way to couple mechanical motion and electricity at the smallest scales, opening new possibilities for molecular electronics.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Over the summer, Zuckerberg shared with Meta advisors his plans to relocate outside California to avoid the possibility of a significant reduction in his control over the company as a result of selling enough stock to fund a 5% tax.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of possibility

Noun

Over time, the company has aggregated a combination of destinations, tournaments, leagues and camps, illustrating how physical facilities can anchor a broader participation business rather than function simply as real-estate assets.

— Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Second-round leader Haeran Ryu, who birdied her last three holes, still led the tournament by four strokes after a 4-under 68 and a three-round total of 17-under 199.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of tournament

Noun

Labour enters its annual party conference with a polling boost holding a four-point lead with 27% of the vote under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

— Ian King, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Ahead of the vote, Netanyahu’s Likud party was neck and neck with the Israeli military's former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who has emerged as his strongest rival in a fraught campaign that has centered on the country's security and future.

— Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of party

Noun

And of course there's the throttle, which makes the whole thing even easier up to a limited top speed of 17 mph (27 km/h).

— Loz Blain October 26, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
From a career-high 155 yards from Javonte Williams to the defense making just enough stops to allow the offense to do its thing, the Cowboys gained a little bit of their swagger back in the City of Brotherly Love.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of thing

Noun

Jaros and Rauh also try to account for the uncertainty over whether taxes can be collected from other billionaires, such as the ones who have left since the beginning of the year and may thus have a legal case for escaping the tax.

— Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Eisenkot's election day appearances with Mozes and in other affected communities are a sign of how central the attacks have been to the campaign and to the former general's case that Netanyahu's time in power should be up.

— Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of case

Noun

Now, Tan-Gillespie is tasked with getting KFC’s American business back on track as the brand faces growing competition paired with more health-conscious and cash-strapped consumers.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Still, some market participants see reason for hope in a market bludgeoned this year over worries about rising prices, tensions in the Middle East and stiff competition from artificial intelligence hyperscalers flooding the market with debt.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Members of the dance group Danzantes Unidos Mitotiliztli performed in October 2025 during a Dia de los Muertos celebration offered by Athziry Día de Muertos and the city of Aurora at East Aurora High School.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The former center grabbed headlines in March for commenting on a Rangers loss that coincided with the team’s Pride Night celebration.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebration

Browse Nearby Words

evensongs

event

eventful

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Event.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/event. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of event

noun

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Synonyms of event

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing event

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