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

For the occasion, their first red carpet together since October 2025, Reeves looked sharp in a black suit with a charcoal gray shirt and tie, while Grant opted for a black shirt, black pants, and a gray wool coat with jeweled embellishments. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026

While the occasion still succeeds in raising awareness, educating consumers and engaging younger audiences, its ability to drive lasting behavioral change—or meaningfully hold companies accountable for one-off initiatives that lack measurable impact—remains less certain. —Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026

Verb

What's evident from conversations with past study participants is that psilocybin can occasion a shift in perspective — and a new sense of agency. —Will Stone, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing occasion

• on occasion