Synonyms of occasion

occasion 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈkā-zhən 

1

as in time

a particular point at which an event takes place

on that occasion, I didn't actually meet your father

Synonyms & Similar Words

• time
• moment
• minute
• instant
• second
• while
• split second
• trice
• jiffy
• shake
• twinkle
• wink
• space
• flash
• spell
• stretch
• bit

2

as in opportunity

a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place

the substitute violinist rose to the occasion and performed the piece beautifully

Synonyms & Similar Words

• opportunity
• chance
• room
• opening
• way
• break
• shot
• play
• pass
• juncture

3

as in cause

someone or something responsible for a result

the missing money proved to be the occasion of much strife between the two brothers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cause
• reason
• antecedent
• determinant
• causation
• source
• causality
• consideration
• factor
• impetus
• mother
• spring
• origin
• instigation
• incentive
• stimulus
• inspiration
• be-all and end-all
• alpha and omega
• root

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• result
• issue
• effect
• outcome
• consequence
• development
• product
• sequence
• fate
• aftermath
• fruit
• corollary
• resultant
• outgrowth
• sequel
• upshot
• end
• conclusion
• aftereffect
• ramification
• denouement
• side effect
• repercussion
• by-product

4

as in event

something that happens

weddings are generally happy occasions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

occasion

2 of 2

verb

as in to cause

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)

the announcement concerning the change in scheduling occasioned much confusion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cause
• bring
• prompt
• create
• generate
• do
• work
• produce
• effect
• result (in)
• spawn
• invoke
• make
• yield
• induce
• bring about
• effectuate
• draw on
• translate (into)
• found
• give rise to
• catalyze
• contribute (to)
• inaugurate
• encourage
• bring forth
• bring on
• introduce
• engender
• breed
• promote
• beget
• launch
• initiate
• decide
• pioneer
• further
• determine
• start
• begin
• forward
• institute
• conduce (to)
• set up
• establish
• advance
• set
• enact
• render
• father
• develop
• turn out
• cultivate
• foster
• innovate
• nurture
• nourish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limit
• restrict
• impede
• put down
• suppress
• check
• dampen
• quash
• repress
• arrest
• subdue
• quell
• restrain
• stifle
• curb
• smother
• crush
• control
• inhibit
• retard
• rein (in)
• crack down (on)
• can
• squelch
• kill
• clamp down (on)
• still
• squash
• abolish
• destroy
• liquidate
• quench
• extinguish
• demolish
• snuff (out)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of occasion

Noun

For the occasion, their first red carpet together since October 2025, Reeves looked sharp in a black suit with a charcoal gray shirt and tie, while Grant opted for a black shirt, black pants, and a gray wool coat with jeweled embellishments. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026

While the occasion still succeeds in raising awareness, educating consumers and engaging younger audiences, its ability to drive lasting behavioral change—or meaningfully hold companies accountable for one-off initiatives that lack measurable impact—remains less certain. —Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026

Verb

And given our political moment, there’s something useful about revisiting the rage occasioned by Clinton, Reagan, and Bush. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Mar. 2026

Shuffling off this mortal coil need not occasion grief, however. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing occasion

• on occasion