case

1 an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment her doctor wishes that all of his cases were as cooperative as she is Synonyms caseRelated Words inpatient, outpatient; rehabilitant; sufferer, victim; convalescent, nursling

2 one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like this is a perfect case of people jumping to the wrong conclusion before all the facts are known Synonyms case, exemplar, exemplification, illustration, instance, prototype, representative, sample, specimenRelated Words archetype, classic, locus classicus, paradigm; cross section, microcosm; evidence, indication, manifestation, sign

3 something that actually exists this has never been the case before Synonyms actuality, case, materiality, realityRelated Words certainty, inevitability; circumstance, event, occurrence, phenomenon; element, item, particular, thingNear Antonyms eventuality, possibility, potentiality, probabilityAntonyms fantasy (also phantasy), fiction, illusion

4 a statement given to explain a belief or act you'll get a chance to make your case, but unless you're very convincing, your request will be denied Synonyms account, accounting, argument, case, explanation, rationaleRelated Words alibi, apologia, apology, defense, excuse, justification, vindication; appeal, plea; guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationalization

5 a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder a young boy suffering from a case of chicken pox Synonyms access, bout, case, fit, seizure, siege, spell, turnRelated Words recurrence, relapse; brainstorm, convulsion, eclampsia, pang, paroxysm, spasm, throe; agitation, frenzy; breakdown, collapse, prostrationNear Antonyms arrest, relief, remission

6 something that might happen it may be the case that the cause of the fire will forever remain a mystery Synonyms case, contingence, contingency, contingent, eventuality, possibilityRelated Words probability; accident, chance, hap, hazard, risk

7 something that requires thought and skill for resolution that's a tough case to solve Synonyms case, challenge, knot, matter, nut, troubleRelated Words issue, question; corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, mire, pickle, predicament, quagmire, spot; crux, Gordian knot, sticky wicket, toughie (also toughy); catch-22, dilemma, quandary; catch, glitch, hitch, pitfall, snag; conundrum, enigma, mystery, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle; brainteaser, perplexer, poser, stumperNear Antonyms magic bullet, silver bullet; cure-all, panaceaAntonyms answer, solution