incident 1 of 2

incident

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word incident distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of incident are circumstance, episode, event, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

When would circumstance be a good substitute for incident?

In some situations, the words circumstance and incident are roughly equivalent. However, circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

When can episode be used instead of incident?

The words episode and incident can be used in similar contexts, but episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

In what contexts can event take the place of incident?

While the synonyms event and incident are close in meaning, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When might occurrence be a better fit than incident?

While in some cases nearly identical to incident, occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

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 incident
Noun
At Black Hat, the researchers argued that this strategy should also be applied to cyber-incident investigations. Kim Key, PCMAG, 11 Aug. 2022 The timing will be miserably co-incident, a rare moment in economic history, the economist’s equivalent of a solar eclipse: higher inflation, higher interest rates, slumping economic output. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 25 July 2022
Adjective
In each of these incidents, settlers struck in broad daylight. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 July 2025 The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) notes that homicide detectives have been called in to deal with the incident. Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for incident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incident
Noun
  • These events have become more frequent in recent years with the proliferation of personal devices powered by lithium-ion batteries, such as laptops, tablets, cell phones, vape pens and portable chargers.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • In fact, the blocks were so easy to use that government and company officials who attended the kick-off event helped to build up one of the house’s walls after only a short lesson from Garrett.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • At tiny churches, phones even come in handy as hymnals and the music accompaniment for singing praises and lifting joyful songs because there is no organ or choir.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
  • The charcuterie board here features three meats, three cheeses and accompaniments ($26), and is available during lunch, happy hour and dinner.
    Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • An accompanying photo illustration showed the Bronze Fonz statue being hoisted off its pedestal on the RiverWalk in downtown Milwaukee.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025
  • The findings reveal new insights into Greenland sled dogs’ spread and movement over millennia and also the accompanying human history.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The popularity of body mists comes down to three main things: affordability, versatility, and nostalgia.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 15 July 2025
  • The more Jeanne relies on the authorities, the more complicated things get if and when Suzanne resurfaces.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Thus, European migrants easily and quickly became U.S. citizens and gained access to the attendant rights, privileges, and protections that came with it.
    Time, Time, 14 July 2025
  • Lalani said the low wages for attendant positions have fueled worker shortages and gaps in care that put preventive care on the back burner and lead to greater expenses down the line in hospitalizations and complications.
    Madeline de Figueiredo, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Oster said the sentence justified the circumstances of the killing as well as the evidence presented during the trial.
    Hailey Roden, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
  • Treatment for multiple myeloma is individualized based on disease severity and other factors that include age, general health, potential risks, and personal circumstances.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The first four episodes are available to watch now, while the second and third batches of episodes will arrive July 16 and July 23, respectively.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 July 2025
  • The first episode of the sixth installment officially releases on Friday, July 11 on Flight Club’s YouTube.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The decline of men and concomitant rise of women in Democratic voting ranks has been observed for decades and is not expected to change drastically soon.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • The law of diminishing returns can be applied to this process, whereby each marginal risk prevention effort does not reap concomitant rewards.
    Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incident. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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