occasions 1 of 2

noun

plural of occasion
1
as in times
a particular point at which an event takes place on that occasion, I didn't actually meet your father

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in opportunities
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place the substitute violinist rose to the occasion and performed the piece beautifully

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in causes
someone or something responsible for a result the missing money proved to be the occasion of much strife between the two brothers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in events
something that happens weddings are generally happy occasions

Synonyms & Similar Words

occasions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of occasion
as in prompts
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) the announcement concerning the change in scheduling occasioned much confusion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 occasions
Noun
Ralf Rangnick’s side did have a goal threat, scoring three times on two occasions in the group phase. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 July 2026 Its midi length suits a wide range of occasions, and its flutter-style cap sleeves and flared A-line skirt add eye-catching volume. — Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 On casual occasions, this T-shirt dress is an easy way to be presentable—and comfortable. — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 5 July 2026 The Cape Verdeans kept pushing for an equalizer and came within inches on multiple occasions. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 While Swift has not publicly confirmed the relationship, the two were seen together on several occasions after being photographed for the first time together while taking a stroll through Central Park in New York City. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Austria's World Cup outlook Austria has not yet brought home a FIFA World Cup title, but there is plenty of history on the pitch for the team; Austria has qualified on a total of eight occasions. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 22 June 2026 In keeping with Operation Sail, a series of events commemorating special occasions over the years, Sail4th 250 ushers a fleet of tall ships from more than twenty countries into New York Harbor and toward the Statue of Liberty. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026 The Slovenian sensation is aiming to join the select crowd of Belgian Eddy Merckx, Spaniard Miguel Indurain and Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault as the only riders to have won cycling's most prestigious race on five occasions. — ABC News, 4 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasions
  1. times
  2. opportunities
  3. causes
  4. events
  5. prompts
  6. moments
  7. chances
  8. reasons
Noun
  • Winning another Emmy is off the table, though, making this a race between the gifted Seehorn, a perennial Emmy underachiever, and Russell, nominated five times as actor and still looking for her first trophy.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of times
Noun
  • There are fewer opportunities for younger workers to find mentors and soak up knowledge.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • My hope is that each and every American and everyone who resides in our great country will all get the same level of freedom and opportunities, and everyone can have a chance at the American dream.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of opportunities
Noun
  • The data points to the following leading causes of death in the 1900s.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • On the money front, divorce is among the leading causes of bankruptcy, Wells-Gibson previously told USA TODAY.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of causes
Noun
  • The House of the Dragon Scorecard is an accounting of the events of this week’s episode, in which points are awarded to characters on a scale of 0 to 10.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • From royal events to sporting matches to gliding down ski slopes as kids on vacation, rarely did the public see one without the other.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of events
Verb
  • Unlike his later work with Disclosure Day, this prompts a journey of discovery rather than one of fear.
    — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 July 2026
  • Two hundred and fifty years later, as artificial intelligence reshapes the practice of law and prompts questions about the future of the profession, the nation's founding offers an unexpected answer.
    — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of prompts
Noun
  • Ronaldo, 41, one of the most legendary scorers in the history of soccer, burst into tears, soaking up the final moments of the game.
    — Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • This contributed to beautiful surprises, moments of repose, and bold flavors on each day of my visit.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of moments
Noun
  • Skies will become partly sunny, and rain chances will drop considerably.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
  • The second half started much like the first half, as both teams created occasional chances, with most of the action coming from the Spanish.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of chances
Noun
  • Both Kurtz and Langeliers cited workload and the need for rest during the long Major League Baseball season as reasons for their lack of interest.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Many areas have been exempted for a variety of reasons, including lots in hillside fire zones and lots in Historic Protection Overlay Zones.
    — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of reasons

Browse Nearby Words

occasioning
occasions
occiput
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Cite this Entry

“Occasions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasions. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on occasions

Nglish: Translation of occasions for Spanish Speakers

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