occasion 1 of 2

Definition of occasionnext
1
as in time
a particular point at which an event takes place on that occasion, I didn't actually meet your father

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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

3
4

occasion

2 of 2

verb

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 occasion
Noun
Some relatives traveled from the East Coast for the occasion. Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026 Disappointing too was the loss of two major events planned this March to bring global players in close connect with manufacturers, and an occasion to highlight the gains in the industry in 2025. Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 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 See All Example Sentences for occasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasion
Noun
  • In January 2023, McCarthy again moved to block Swalwell's reappointment to the Intelligence Committee after Republicans reclaimed the House majority, this time succeeding.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Rachel Barber The national average retail price of a gallon of gasoline surpassed $4 for the first time in more than three years, as the Iran war continues to drive oil costs up and raise prices at the pump.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The rapid proliferation of art biennials in the ’90s gave them plenty of opportunities and reflected a world reorganizing itself after the Cold War.
    Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Actors and rock stars from the counterculture scene—including the band Jefferson Airplane—started donating money and cars to the cause.
    Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
  • No arrests have been made at this time, and the fire marshal has not yet determined the cause of the fire.
    Katie Houlis, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The event features a diverse lineup of live music and art along with food, craft beverages and art installations.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Justin Gaethje, lightweight interim champion — Coming off an upset of Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January to claim the interim belt, Gaethje will face Ilia Topuria in the main event of the UFC White House card on June 14.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As Los Angeles County activists continue their search for the suspect or suspects who have shot multiple alley cats in South Los Angeles with a BB gun, PETA has offered a $5,000 reward in hopes of bringing the crimes to a stop.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • This brings the total to five Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah reignited after the militant group fired rockets into Israel on March 2.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • At the same time, groups like the nonpartisan Latino Victory Project, which focuses on developing Hispanic political leadership, said this current moment should not distract from the still-ongoing civil rights battles.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But for me, at least, the direction is neither sufficiently cohesive or detailed, in that crucial moment-by-moment way, to really pull all of these different strands together to offer much more than a chance to have fun with genre stereotypes or relive a favorite movie.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Big Ten had a league-record six teams reach the Sweet 16 and now has tied the tournament record with four teams in the Elite Eight, increasing its chances of breaking through for the league's first title in more than a quarter-century.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Participants get to try countless varieties of wine and get the chance to meet the growers themselves.
    Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The agency’s Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives and crime scene investigators took over the case, and the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • No further details were released on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
    Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Occasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasion. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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