1
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in event
something that happens
weddings are generally happy occasions
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of occasion
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
When that first layer feels too tight, too loose, or digging in somewhere, the whole occasion starts off on the wrong foot.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
And so our entry into 2026 has occasioned the traditional visit to the photo archives.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occasion
Noun
The series once again finds itself in a prescient position with the industry on the precipice of an extinction-level event, and Valerie once again rises to the occasion with a message worth hearing, delivered with a smile that’s improbably radiant.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
When that first layer feels too tight, too loose, or digging in somewhere, the whole occasion starts off on the wrong foot.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
By the time of the 2004 Biennial, to which Violette contributed an ensemble of works situating the 1994 suicide of Kurt Cobain as an archetype of Romantic self-destruction, the neo-goth sensibility was prevalent enough to occasion a catalogue essay on the subject by cocurator Shamim Momin.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
And so our entry into 2026 has occasioned the traditional visit to the photo archives.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasion
Noun
-
Questions and comments will be moderated, read, and answered as time allows.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That divergence of opinion hasn’t provided a national consensus for a permanent time standard.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Democrats saw the meeting as an opportunity to call attention to the fact that Bondi has yet to explicitly commit to showing up on April 14.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Seek out new opportunities and be ready to act fast on them.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nam said the cause was not immediately known, but the blaze appeared to have spread rapidly, with witnesses reporting an explosion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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What the data show—and what everyone has seen with our own eyes—is what we social scientists call a psychogenic epidemic, a phenomenon that causes tremendous suffering but has no organic cause, meaning the onset is social or psychological, not biological.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During Monday’s event, the company presented a $50,000 donation and pledging 500 volunteer hours to Nourish Up, formerly Fishes & Loaves, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity for Charlotte families.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
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The eight-team event begins with quarterfinal games April 1-2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.—
Laurence Miedema,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The nutrient gives the patches their rosy color and brings soothing properties that calm the delicate undereyes.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The darkest moment in Iran’s recent history brought Pahlavi into direct confrontation with the regime that had long ignored him.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Forty-one minutes later, her pacemaker application disconnected from her phone, marking the precise moment an 84-year-old woman who could not walk 50 yards without help was ripped from her bed.—
Neal K. Shah,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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As the vast landscape spread out below, filled with roaming herds and golden hues, our guest popped the question—creating a moment both magical and unforgettable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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South Hills’ best scoring chance came in the 56th minute off a free kick by Jonathan Gonzalez.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
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Paul Mbiya hasn’t had the chance to flash his smile much this season.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, his cell was never considered a possible crime scene that would, under normal circumstances, be examined by experienced criminal and forensic experts who would take fingerprints, blood samples and other evidence.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
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While starter home districts would circumvent communities’ larger lot restrictions, that very fact would seem to generally restrict their voluntary adoption in those circumstances.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasion. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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