incident 1 of 2

incident

2 of 2

adjective

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

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 incident
Noun
The budget committee also agreed to eliminate 42 emergency incident technicians at the fire department, a move opposed by interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva, while also canceling Bass’ plan for a new homelessness unit within that agency. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025 The incident report was issued Saturday at 10:36 a.m., and the last update regarding this incident was released on Saturday at 11:01 a.m. Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: There were no traffic incidents reported in this area for the past 12 hours. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
Adjective
At Black Hat, the researchers argued that this strategy should also be applied to cyber-incident investigations. Kim Key, PCMAG, 11 Aug. 2022 The timing will be miserably co-incident, a rare moment in economic history, the economist’s equivalent of a solar eclipse: higher inflation, higher interest rates, slumping economic output. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 25 July 2022 See All Example Sentences for incident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incident
Noun
  • Religion notes are open to any group wanting to publicize a special event.
    Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2025
  • The week had included finals, pre-graduation events and students moving out of the dorms.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • And the Attachment Theory, with all of its effortless bombast, is the perfect accompaniment for this new stage in her career.
    Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • Pork Chops With Jammy-Mustard Glaze Fruit and mustard are two classic accompaniments to pork, and really, a juicy chop doesn’t need much more than that for a sweet and tangy sauce.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • There was an accompanying explosion in volume with 2, 30M+ share days compared to the average daily volume of 12.8 million.
    Todd Gordon, CNBC, 13 May 2025
  • After recommendation by the IEEE History Committee and approval by the IEEE Board of Directors, a bronze plaque commemorating the achievement is placed at an appropriate site with an accompanying dedication ceremony.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Instead of approaching them and giving them the opportunity to say mean things to you, consider trying to make friends with other girls -- girls who might like to be friends with you too.
    Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
  • One of the many things the directors wanted to emphasize was the atmosphere of peace at the encampments.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The premier French film festival (and its attendant photocalls, parties, galas, and dinners) is back, and the dress code (for the nightly gala screenings—not, like, the entire town) got an update: no more nudity (ah, Bella Hadid in 2024, you will ne’er be forgotten).
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 13 May 2025
  • The trade war, the attendant macro uncertainty and the roller-coaster market have especially pressured companies like Saks that are working through a transition.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • This approach creates zero pressure while acknowledging individual circumstances.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Valerie, Karen, and Renee all arrived at the Rainbow Lodge overwhelmed by their own life circumstances.
    Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Alda is the only M*A*S*H cast character to appear in all 256 episodes.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 10 May 2025
  • And in the April 20 episode, Pete gently denied Alberta due to his outside ghost girlfriend, Donna.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Given a concomitant 7% decline in overall TV usage this season, any year-to-year gain is encouraging, but a vanishing act by the NBA’s last remaining big draw would likely drive the Nielsen numbers down in a hurry.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 May 2025
  • Our Charm City has become trapped in a vicious, perilous cycle of addiction and crime, largely sustained by the pervasive urban drug trade and its concomitant gang presence.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incident. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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