Synonyms of case

case 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkās 

1

as in sheath

something that encloses another thing especially to protect it

those binoculars come with their own case

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sheath
• casing
• covering
• housing
• cover
• shell
• jacket
• hull
• package
• pod
• armor
• capsule
• shield
• coating
• cartridge
• encasement
• plate
• cocoon
• husk
• plating
• wrapper
• house
• facing
• mail
• cassette
• crust
• envelope
• skin
• bark
• backing
• casette
• hide
• carapace
• panoply
• cuticle
• coverture

2

as in bin

a covered rectangular container for storing or transporting things

a handy little cosmetics case that matches the rest of her luggage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bin
• box
• locker
• trunk
• chest
• crate
• casket
• caddy
• compartment
• carton
• vault
• coffin
• safe
• footlocker
• safe-deposit box
• strongbox
• lockbox
• sea chest
• coffer
• jewel box
• hope chest
• caisson
• canteen
• hatbox
• snuffbox
• bandbox
• minaudière
• tinderbox

case

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

as in patient

an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment

her doctor wishes that all of his cases were as cooperative as she is

Synonyms & Similar Words

• patient
• outpatient
• inpatient
• victim
• sufferer
• rehabilitant
• convalescent
• nursling

2

as in example

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 & Similar Words

• example
• instance
• sample
• specimen
• illustration
• case in point
• indication
• representative
• prototype
• exemplification
• evidence
• paradigm
• cross section
• exemplar
• manifestation
• classic
• sign
• microcosm
• archetype
• locus classicus

3

as in fact

something that actually exists

this has never been the case before

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fact
• reality
• phenomenon
• actuality
• occurrence
• event
• thing
• certainty
• materiality
• element
• item
• circumstance
• inevitability
• particular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fiction
• possibility
• illusion
• fantasy
• probability
• phantasy
• eventuality
• potentiality

4

as in explanation

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 & Similar Words

• explanation
• reason
• argument
• accounting
• rationale
• apology
• justification
• excuse
• account
• defense
• appeal
• vindication
• plea
• alibi
• pretext
• rationalization
• apologia
• guise
• pretence
• pretense

5

as in bout

a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder

a young boy suffering from a case of chicken pox

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bout
• attack
• seizure
• spell
• access
• fit
• turn
• siege
• recurrence
• pang
• spasm
• relapse
• breakdown
• frenzy
• convulsion
• agitation
• collapse
• eclampsia
• paroxysm
• brainstorm
• prostration
• throe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relief
• arrest
• remission

6

as in possibility

something that might happen

it may be the case that the cause of the fire will forever remain a mystery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• possibility
• event
• contingency
• contingence
• contingent
• eventuality
• probability
• accident
• risk
• hazard
• chance
• hap

7

as in problem

something that requires thought and skill for resolution

that's a tough case to solve

Synonyms & Similar Words

• problem
• matter
• challenge
• issue
• question
• trouble
• predicament
• knot
• nut
• hot water
• dilemma
• crux
• pickle
• mystery
• corner
• quandary
• spot
• jam
• Gordian knot
• puzzle
• fix
• conundrum
• riddle
• quagmire
• pitfall
• snag
• glitch
• catch
• enigma
• hole
• sticky wicket
• hitch
• mire
• puzzlement
• toughie
• poser
• toughy
• catch-22
• stumper
• brainteaser

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• solution
• answer
• silver bullet
• magic bullet
• panacea
• cure-all

case

3 of 3

verb

as in to enclose

Related Words

• enclose
• encase
• fit
• encompass
• inclose
• house
• accommodate
• take
• shelter
• lodge
• harbor
• contain
• hold
• boast
• bear

Synonym Chooser

How is the word case distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of case are example, illustration, instance, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When would example be a good substitute for case?

While in some cases nearly identical to case, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When is it sensible to use illustration instead of case?

While the synonyms illustration and case are close in meaning, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When could instance be used to replace case?

Although the words instance and case have much in common, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

In what contexts can sample take the place of case?

The meanings of sample and case largely overlap; however, sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

When might specimen be a better fit than case?

The synonyms specimen and case are sometimes interchangeable, but specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of case

Noun

As the Herald has reported, Saudi national Omar Al Bayoumi was seen on video casing the Capitol in the summer of 1999, pointing out Congress, the Washington Monument, the skyline and jotting down in a notebook a formula to calculate the rate of descent. —Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 29 Aug. 2025

Officers responded to a call at the school around 10:56 p.m. and found a vehicle with a bullet hole and one spent casing, the release says. —Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 26 Aug. 2025

Verb

In my case, there were also lots of crocheted lace doilies. —Brené Brown, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025

If there’s one cooking staple that’s superior to all others, a very strong case could be made for the mighty onion. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025

Phrases Containing case

• case in point
• case study
• head case
• in any case