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

Before the Japan match, only once in 12 occasions since 2023 have the Selecao won after conceding first, so the psychological impact of doing that – after recovering against Morocco to draw too – is significant. — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

He was selected by his colleagues to serve as acting mayor and president pro tem on multiple occasions, according to UCLA, which honored him in 2003 with a Public Service Award. — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Verb

This apparent drift has already occasioned many think pieces; the video game and internet culture website Aftermath just dedicated an entire week to celebrating the return of wokeness. — Miles Klee, Wired News, 31 Mar. 2026

He was found guilty in January of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 27 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing occasion

• on occasion