Synonyms of incident

incident 1 of 2

noun

ˈin(t)-sə-dənt 

1

as in event

something that happens

the odd little incident was reported in the local paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

2

as in accompaniment

something that is found along with something else

a teen discovering that taxes are the inevitable and evil incident of a paying job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accompaniment
• consequence
• attendant
• corollary
• concomitant
• companion
• complement
• appendage
• accessory
• obbligato
• adjunct
• counterpart
• supplement
• follow-up
• trimmings
• fellow
• mate
• fixings

incident

2 of 2

adjective

as in accompanying

Related Words

• accompanying
• attendant
• attending
• concomitant
• contemporaneous
• simultaneous
• coincidental
• contemporary
• concurrent
• synchronous
• synchronic
• coeval
• coincident
• coetaneous
• coextensive
• coexistent
• coterminous
• coexisting

Dissimilar Words

• asynchronous
• nonsimultaneous
• nonsynchronous
• noncontemporary

Synonym Chooser

How is the word incident distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of incident are circumstance, episode, event, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

When would circumstance be a good substitute for incident?

In some situations, the words circumstance and incident are roughly equivalent. However, 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 episode be used instead of incident?

The words episode and incident can be used in similar contexts, but episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

In what contexts can event take the place of incident?

While the synonyms event and incident are close in meaning, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When might occurrence be a better fit than incident?

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

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

How is the word incident distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of incident are circumstance, episode, event, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

When would circumstance be a good substitute for incident?

In some situations, the words circumstance and incident are roughly equivalent. However, 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 episode be used instead of incident?

The words episode and incident can be used in similar contexts, but episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

In what contexts can event take the place of incident?

While the synonyms event and incident are close in meaning, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When might occurrence be a better fit than incident?

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

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of incident

Noun

Cancer incidents are substantially higher in girls and women, according to the American Cancer Society (particularly in older AYAs, research published on the National Institutes of Health website shows). —Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

Officials in Tewksbury have expressed frustration this week over the removal of security tools from Tewksbury Hospital’s security team after another meeting with state health officials and another incident involving a patient. —Peter Currier, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

Adjective

The Turks and Caicos government said that post-incident protocols have been engaged. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025

Rather than relying solely on post-incident cleanup or one-off assessments, CTEM emphasizes a continuous, proactive cycle that unifies detection and prevention under one strategic umbrella. —Tony Bradley, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025