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

Relevance
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

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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
Parents received warnings on those occasions, and their son’s e-motorcycles have been impounded twice, prosecutors said. — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 The massive venue is used for private dinners and special occasions. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Transitioning his rhetoric As a state House member, Talarico acted in line with LGBT activist groups’ priorities on multiple occasions. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026 And on the rarest of occasions, for very special brides, people celebrate their weddings here. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 Langford is accused in the federal indictment of possession with intent to distribute cocaine on three separate occasions. — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 The Club has added to Kimberly-Clark on multiple occasions to reduce its cost basis and is sitting on an unrealized loss of less than 1%. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 On at least two occasions, Duncan interrupted the network's sports coverage to protest legislation. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
Admissions dipped around mid-March and again in early June, when the market reached its lowest point of the year, but both occasions the downturn lasted only briefly before business rebounded. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 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
  • The girls sometimes lived with their grandmother or an aunt, other times with their mother and Lasha’s father, who was a part of the sisters’ lives on and off until he was convicted of armed bank robbery in 2003.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • He has been sacked 17 times in six games, but the blame really should be on the coach for having a poor game plan.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of times
Noun
  • In Singapore, where retail payments are already highly efficient, stablecoins may have fewer applications in consumer transactions, while corporate payments could offer greater opportunities, Driver said.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Organizations that proactively consider employee skill sets and willingness or desire for change can then weigh those skills and desires against firm needs, bringing more opportunities to their employee set.
    — Tim Brackney, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of opportunities
Noun
  • The Hurts episode is an apt reminder of why the organization seeks to educate the public more about symptoms and causes.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Griffin’s contributions highlight the role wealthy donors play in Florida politics, where political committees can raise substantial sums to support candidates and causes.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of causes
Noun
  • The district would install gates on its drives that could be opened or closed as needed during events and school hours.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The local police department is conducting a criminal investigation into the events leading up to the collision and the actions of those involved, Kinnan said Wednesday.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of events
Verb
  • In the road movie, which is Thailand’s international Oscar feature film submission, a prophecy prompts an aging grandmother to embark on a nine-temple pilgrimage with her children and grandchildren.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The episode opens with Riley sitting at his work desk, and something prompts him to look for Ray Biller.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of prompts
Noun
  • For many, a place remembered for its scenery also serves as a backdrop for personal moments of grief, reflection or healing, the survey said.
    — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But a few geological moments after the Laurentide sheet started re-expanding, humanity entered the chat.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of moments
Noun
  • Ohio Republicans redrew Kaptur’s seat this cycle, but Democrats are bullish on her chances.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments reflect a mix of skepticism and concern about the upcoming elections, with some expressing doubt about the Democrats' chances in the Senate and others worried about potential election chaos and disputes.
    — Amber Phillips, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of chances
Noun
  • Experts studying fear have theorized that one of the major reasons people are flocking to horror experiences lately — whether theme parks, novels or movies — is that the world feels so uncertain.
    — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • But the offensive line has turned out to be TCU’s biggest weakness this season and one of the primary reasons the program sits at 3-4 (1-3 Big 12).
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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