accident

noun

ˈak-sə-dənt How to pronounce accident (audio)
Definition of accidentnext
1
as in casualty
a chance and usually sudden event bringing loss or injury was involved in a minor accident on her way home from work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in luck
the uncertain course of events you shouldn't leave it to accident to decide where you'll be lodging in the course of your trip across the country

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 accident SickKids had provided treatment to Austin after his 2021 lawnmower accident, which caused severe injuries to both his legs and feet. — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 Response teams had not been able to get to the scene of the accident by Friday evening due to the flames, but hoped to get there in the next 24 hours, officials said. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026 Advertisement On July 16, two and a half days after his accident, Harry died in the ICU. — Dr. Lucy McBride, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 Jackie struggles to visit George due to the trauma of losing her parents and sister in a car accident. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accident
  1. casualty
  2. luck
  3. disaster
  4. chance
  5. catastrophe
  6. circumstance
  7. mishap
  8. tragedy
Noun
  • Havoc's innovation was spurred on by success overseas, where Ukraine pioneered drone warfare saving in cost and in human casualties.
    — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Yet civilian casualties in Gaza and Israel’s destruction of infrastructure and restriction of humanitarian aid quickly raised concerns.
    — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of casualty
Noun
  • That’s the magic of Yatzy, a simple game that’s equal parts luck and strategy and easy enough for anyone to join in.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Real Time audience took that one in stride, giving it a good laugh and applause, but then Maher pushed his luck.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of luck
Noun
  • Next week, for the first time ever, Taiwan will deliberately slow its mobile internet speed, testing how citizens would communicate if bandwidth becomes scarce in emergencies ranging ⁠from disasters to a Chinese invasion.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There was another near disaster when, two weeks out from the wedding, the couple learned their venue couldn’t accommodate them.
    — Jessica Salter, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • Additionally, Alvarez’s chances to hit a home run will get a pick-me-up from playing at home.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • With a realistic chance of winning the World Series, the Rays were willing to go all-in.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of chance
Noun
  • Looking for traces of a Toba catastrophe in standard sediment cores was like timing a sprint with a calendar.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Near the end of the novel, the reader finds Anna living inside a kaleidoscope of catastrophe.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • Making this call can sometimes be a tough decision and of course everybody is different and has different circumstances.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The national police service did not give more details on the circumstances of the deaths, but said the provincial police commissioner was on the way to the mine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of circumstance
Noun
  • Use it to wipe down the countertop after a make-up mishap or clean up a tub that’s bearing the remnants of your last bath bomb.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026
  • However, the primaries were also marked by several mistakes or mishaps from area election boards responsible for administering local elections in both states.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of mishap
Noun
  • There are also now safety measures being proposed along the river to prevent future tragedies.
    — Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Following her passing, Jane was the first sibling to hear the news and told her brother and sister of the tragedy.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of tragedy

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accessory
accident
accidental
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Cite this Entry

“Accident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accident. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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