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

Perfect for all of your dressy occasions, these wide-leg dress pants are comfortable to wear, thanks to their elastic waistband and loose design. —Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026

In a tribute marking the occasion, Ang Lee praised him as the kind of performer every director hopes to work with, one who holds nothing back and raises the level of everyone around him. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026

Verb

Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, was sentenced at London’s Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, after he was found guilty in January of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, British news agency PA Media reported. —Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026

Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after being charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing occasion

• on occasion