Thesaurus results for OCCURRENCE

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

Some common synonyms of occurrence are circumstance , episode , event , and incident . While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan. // an encounter that was a chance occurrence

Q: When is it sensible to use 'circumstance' instead of 'occurrence'?

The words circumstance and occurrence can be used in similar contexts, but circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background. // couldn't recall the exact circumstances

Q: In what contexts can 'episode' take the place of 'occurrence'?

Although the words episode and occurrence have much in common, episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident. // a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

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

In some situations, the words event and occurrence are roughly equivalent. However, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause. // the events following the assassination

Q: When would 'incident' be a good substitute for 'occurrence'?

The meanings of incident and occurrence largely overlap; however, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance. // a minor wartime incident

occurrence

noun

ə-ˈkər-ən(t)s

Definition of occurrence

as in event

something that happens life is full of random occurrences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word occurrence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of occurrence are circumstance, episode, event, and incident. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

When is it sensible to use circumstance instead of occurrence?

The words circumstance and occurrence can be used in similar contexts, but circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

In what contexts can episode take the place of occurrence?

Although the words episode and occurrence have much in common, episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

When is event a more appropriate choice than occurrence?

In some situations, the words event and occurrence are roughly equivalent. However, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When would incident be a good substitute for occurrence?

The meanings of incident and occurrence largely overlap; however, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

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 occurrence The simultaneous occurrence of large storm waves, high tides and elevated sea levels were almost identical to the El Niño conditions in early 1983, 40 years earlier. — Gary Griggs, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 During that prime fall stretch, oyster roasts can become a regular weekend occurrence. — Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2026 For Hale and his group, known as People’s Vision Zero, the work was an improvement and long overdue in a part of Los Angeles where cars hitting pedestrians is an all too common occurrence. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 The scale of the decline triggered a circuit breaker, temporarily halting trading on the exchange — a frequent occurrence this year in a stock market dominated by just two stocks. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occurrence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occurrence

Noun

The last includes those black-swan events that come out of left field and test a company’s resilience, from war to pandemics.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Last year, Kort helped launch an Eat the Invaders event, bringing chefs together to channel people’s appetite for delicious food by cooking with invasive and overabundant species.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of event

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

Browse Nearby Words

occurred (to)

occurrence

occurrences

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

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Synonyms of occurrence

noun

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