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as in possibility
something that might happen in the event of rain, graduation ceremonies will be held indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word event distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of event are circumstance, episode, incident, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When can circumstance be used instead of event?

The words circumstance and event are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

When would episode be a good substitute for event?

In some situations, the words episode and event are roughly equivalent. However, episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

When is incident a more appropriate choice than event?

While in some cases nearly identical to event, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

When might occurrence be a better fit than event?

Although the words occurrence and event have much in common, occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

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 event With more than 33 billion plays and one of the most passionate fanbases on the Roblox platform, Grow a Garden is a game where players cultivate thriving gardens, trade crops, decorate worlds, and collaborate in seasonal events. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 The ticketed event will see thousands of Fox News fans crowd the arena to get close to their favorite TV talent and other guests, with live taping of shows like The Five and Fox & Friends, and meet and greets with talent. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025 One of the candidates to succeed him, former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez, was in the front row of the invitation-only event but did not speak. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025 Near the end of the event, after this writer had taken 17 pages of notes, one speaker insisted that all of this was, and had been, off the record. Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for event
Recent Examples of Synonyms for event
Noun
  • But with each successive draft, the inciting incident—Noah being invited to Marfa—was pulled earlier and earlier toward the start.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • At this time, the exact location and details surrounding this incident are unclear.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • After Maggie and Paul were shot to death on June 7, 2021, Alex was found guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, earning two consecutive life sentences without possibility of parole.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
  • And Mamdani’s promised rent freeze faces multiple hurdles — including the possibility that outgoing Mayor Eric Adams will stack the Rent Guidelines Board with his own appointees who won’t go along with a freeze.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Before her five-wicket haul, Sharma (58) posted her third half-century of the tournament to help India reached the second highest total in a World Cup final after Australia’s 356-5 against England in 2022.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The tournament gave him valuable in-game reps and confidence that carried into the fall.
    Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Cuomo’s desperate campaign — almost certainly his last — tried to knit together a coalition of Republicans, independents, and Democrats worried that a socialist mayor would wreck their city and their party.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Recent Reuters/Ipsos polling indicates that both parties are facing criticism from the public.
    Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Displacing 80,000 tons, the Fujian is the closest thing afloat to the US Navy’s 97,000-ton Nimitz-class carriers, which make up 10 of the 11 carriers in the US fleet.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But things just weren't right with her.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • However, as the show continues to capture audiences with a dramatization of one of the most notorious true crime cases in modern American history, the man responsible for the killings is asking viewers to consider watching with a skeptical mind.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The only divorce thus far that really digs into the complexity of these kinds of cases is Allura’s, which is rife with hyperbolic, soapy drama.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Starbucks has also come under intense competition from the surging popularity of tea drinks chains like Mixue Bingcheng, ChaGee and HeyTea.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Several banks lowered their price targets following the earnings report, pointing to increasing competition from larger social platforms like Instagram and TikTok and concerns over macro headwinds.
    Jaures Yip, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager dress as Miranda Priestly and Anna Wintour while hosting the Today Halloween celebration in New York City.
    Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
  • As dinner concluded, Cynthia Erivo took the microphone to invite everyone to continue the celebration.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Event.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/event. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on event

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