1
as in casualties
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
2
as in chances
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 accidents
As the department has conducted more traffic stops, the number of fatal traffic accidents has gone down.
—
Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
By that logic, the way to reduce vehicle accidents is to put more vehicles on the road.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Past accidents KC-135s have previously been involved in several fatal accidents.
—Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The company worried that an artificial snowstorm could cause accidents on the roads and that GE would be held responsible.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
The Chicago Police Department in 2022 instituted new procedures to discourage police car chases, a policy change that presumably will reduce the number of these terrible accidents going forward but which can complicate the city’s ability to defend itself in court.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
One Spanish study published in the journal Epidemiology found a startling 30% increase in fatal car accidents from 1990 to 2014 on the day clocks sprang forward.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
When Americans are killed in plane crashes or train accidents, an independent board steps in to investigate what went wrong and how to avoid the same mistakes again.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Occasionally, that puzzle produces happy accidents.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
By that logic, the way to reduce vehicle accidents is to put more vehicles on the road.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Past accidents KC-135s have previously been involved in several fatal accidents.
—Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The company worried that an artificial snowstorm could cause accidents on the roads and that GE would be held responsible.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026
The Chicago Police Department in 2022 instituted new procedures to discourage police car chases, a policy change that presumably will reduce the number of these terrible accidents going forward but which can complicate the city’s ability to defend itself in court.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
One Spanish study published in the journal Epidemiology found a startling 30% increase in fatal car accidents from 1990 to 2014 on the day clocks sprang forward.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
When Americans are killed in plane crashes or train accidents, an independent board steps in to investigate what went wrong and how to avoid the same mistakes again.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Occasionally, that puzzle produces happy accidents.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accidents
Noun
-
Kuwait authorities said an Iranian drone smashed into a residential building, wounding two people, and that a drone attack on Kuwait International Airport had caused damage but no casualties.—
Natalie Melzer,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Kuwait authorities said an Iranian drone smashed into a residential building, wounding two people, and that a drone damaged Kuwait International Airport but caused no casualties.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Even still, Rutgers offered UCLA plenty of chances to bust the game open.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
With nesting season approaching on Padre Island, the chances of encountering a Kemp’s ridley along the Texas coast go up.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Oil is lighter than water — that’s why disasters like those caused by the Exxon Valdez tanker and the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig create slicks on the surface.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Priority is given to people living in counties that have been impacted by disasters, and any remaining funds could go to people in other counties.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Explain how luck and random chance are factors in both wins and losses.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Chelsea were fortunate to go in at half-time with the scores level at 1-1, needing a bit of luck when a clearance hit goalkeeper Okonkwo and ended up in the Wrexham net.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The legal declaration releases the company of contractual obligations because of extraordinary circumstances.—
Alex Veiga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As part of a plea deal, a count of murder with a special-circumstances allegation of gang activity was dismissed.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dean said these workers respond to outages and emergencies at a moment’s notice, often working in dangerous conditions around high voltage electricity, severe weather and other hazards.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Firefighters, working alongside Atlanta Gas Light personnel, thoroughly evaluated the area for any gas hazards.—
CBS News Atlanta Staff,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accidents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accidents. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
