ACCIDENT Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

accident

noun

ˈak-sə-dənt

Definition of accident

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 She and her family were involved in a car accident while on their way to California to visit family for Christmas. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026 In 2003, at the age of twenty, Pancho experienced a devastating brainstem stroke while recovering from a car accident and major surgery. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026 That includes the famous case of Phineas Gage, a railroad foreman who survived an 1848 accident that sent a large iron rod directly through his head. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026 And that decision showed him how people’s lives can be upended by a serious accident. — Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accident

Recent Examples of Synonyms for accident

Noun

The major online retailer Ozon said a drone attack caused a fire to break out at its logistics center in Adygeysk, in Russia's Adygea region, but that there were no casualties.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
The major online retailer Ozon said that a drone attack caused a fire to break out at its logistics center in Adygeysk, in Russia’s Adygea region, but that there were no casualties.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of casualty

Noun

The organization provides individuals and families with essential products, including merchandise donated by retailers and manufacturers, to help them through poverty, disaster and other challenging circumstances.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
Kim called for a public nonprofit disaster insurance program that would cover wildfire risks for existing homes.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

Jackson’s campaign amounted to a reset for Democrats and a chance to contest Maine without all the political baggage that came with Platner’s candidacy.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Even if a site included in a Tentative List is not nominated during one evaluatory round, there’s always a chance in the future that it may be added back to the list and considered for a nomination.

— Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of chance

Noun

At the time of the last catastrophe, a convulsive shift in media consumption began undermining the value of the legacy distribution scheme, which in turn led to grave uncertainties related to revenue sharing.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2026
The strategy provided insurers with concessions such as the right to charge policyholders for the reinsurance carriers must buy to protect themselves from catastrophes, such as the January 2025 wildfires.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Noun

The value of a life insurance policy, like any other insurance coverage, however, is relative to the policyholder, their financial circumstances and their goals.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Why should two families in similar circumstances pay such wildly different taxes when all else is equal?

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of circumstance

Noun

The series centered on Kerrigan as a comedian heading from New York to Los Angeles for a big career opportunity, only for a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend, played by Felix Levine, to face mishaps and detours.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
Early in the Brockmans’ relationship, Anna experienced a series of mysterious health mishaps.

— Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of mishap

Noun

Across medicine, physicians need support to carry the profound emotional burdens of helping patients and families through tragedy.

— Robert M. Kinast, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026
Many workplaces can identify warning signs early and potentially stop a tragedy while also taking additional steps.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of tragedy

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accessory

accident

accidental

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

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Synonyms of accident

noun

Example Sentences

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'Accidental' vs. 'Incidental'

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