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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 Upward of half a million people now typically pack the long-weekend race events in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas, three of 24 such races held around the world. Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 26 June 2025 The guest list for the three-day event has been tightly guarded, but the lDonald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump and her family are already in Venice. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 June 2025 Tickets for the event are still being listed for sale online, ranging from $59 to $150. Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025 This sequence of events prompted many fans and pundits to speculate about potential conspiracy theories about how and why Dallas got the pick despite having such low odds for it. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for event
Recent Examples of Synonyms for event
Noun
  • The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025
  • The incident was reported Saturday at 3:17 p.m., and the latest update regarding this incident was made available on Saturday at 3:24 p.m.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • But the defending champions feel no need to panic — even before the team’s upcoming four-game, 10-day roadtrip with the possibility of not having Jonquel Jones available for it.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
  • In terms of the Flyers’ willingness to move some of their cache of draft picks, Brière didn’t sound all that sure about that possibility, either.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The team entered the finals on a 26-game winning streak, and outscored its opponents 64-25 in its first eight tournament games.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 21 June 2025
  • That is significant, especially in a year where overall tournament viewership is down from its 2023 peak.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • But if the definition of a moderate or centrist is being in the middle of a political party, that’s Trump.
    Rich Lowry, National Review, 20 June 2025
  • Haley shows strength with liberal Republicans (16 percent), but that bloc makes up a small portion of the party.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Miranda is so full of possibility and adventure and what’s going to come next, and Ada is trying so hard to be that way and to fill the deep well of her sadness and her loneliness and her bereavement with things like the Temperance movement.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 23 June 2025
  • But there are two big things that the Iranians are going to have to choose from here.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The 30-month-long case, which thrust Idaho into the national spotlight, spanned several states as investigators searched for a suspect for nearly seven weeks.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2025
  • So there were nipple covers or, in some cases, full breasts.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Compete for Causes, the local group that pairs fitness and fundraising with its charity fitness competitions, recently made a $32,200 contribution to Father Joe’s Villages.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • Gregg Newton | Afp | Getty Images Amazon’s second batch of Kuiper internet satellites reached low Earth orbit on Monday, adding to its plans for a massive constellation and ramping up competition with SpaceX’s Starlink.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Sometimes, those decisions are made for you by circumstances that are outside your control.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • The civil suit is not just about the circumstances that led to O’Keefe’s death.
    Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Event.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/event. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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