Synonyms of episode

episode

noun

ˈe-pə-ˌsōd 

as in event

something that happens

I'm trying to forget the whole embarrassing episode

Synonyms & Similar Words

• event
• incident
• thing
• circumstance
• occurrence
• occasion
• happening
• time
• affair
• accident
• page
• experience
• coincidence
• phenomenon
• adventure
• landmark
• news
• hap
• turning point
• milestone
• crisis
• fluke
• emergency
• freak
• juncture
• deed
• achievement
• co-occurrence
• milepost
• happenstance
• feat
• tidings
• exploit
• happenchance

Synonym Chooser

How is the word episode distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of episode are circumstance, event, incident, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

When might circumstance be a better fit than episode?

The words circumstance and episode 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

When can event be used instead of episode?

The meanings of event and episode largely overlap; however, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When could incident be used to replace episode?

The words incident and episode are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

Where would occurrence be a reasonable alternative to episode?

While in some cases nearly identical to episode, occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of episode

Glee won six Emmys, including a directing win for Murphy for the pilot episode and best supporting actress in a comedy series for Lynch in 2010. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre and Connor Donevan, with engineering by Simon-Laslo Janssen. — October 21, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026

The first episode started with poor Struan Loy getting stalked and later torched alive by a pair of Russian assassins as relentless and seemingly unkillable as Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Yet the final episode opens with another interview segment; those segments keep interrupting the action, which is a bit frustrating but forgivable. — ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026