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
Wcco Staff, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
The Puritans once banned the game shuffleboard, an occasion for gambling and drunkenness.
—Brendan King, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for occasion
Noun
Despite being shot on two different occasions in five minutes' time, Medlicott survived.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
The Puritans once banned the game shuffleboard, an occasion for gambling and drunkenness.
—Brendan King, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
Shuffling off this mortal coil need not occasion grief, however.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for occasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasion
Noun
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Questions and comments will be moderated, read, and answered as time allows.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In that month, rates fell below 6% for the first time since 2022, according to Freddie Mac, which tracks rates weekly.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The two male offenders stood with their parents and attorneys and were given the opportunity to speak at the beginning and end, but both declined.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Riboua believes Israel could go even further than the Litani River, viewing now as its opportunity to rid itself of Hezbollah for good.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
26 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
-
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
-
Almanac introduced the beer during a public event at its Alameda brewery on March 21.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
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Since early February, residents of the Big Bend region have been outspoken about border wall plans — both on social media and through in-person events hosted in cities in Brewster and Presidio counties.—
Lexi Salazar,
CBS News,
24 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
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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
-
Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said the aircraft, a Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130, went down moments after taking off from Puerto Leguizamo, near the Peru border.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.—
Nora Bradford,
Scientific American,
23 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 27 Mar. 2026.
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