INCIDENT Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

incident 1 of 2

noun

ˈin(t)-sə-dənt

Definition of incident next

as in event

something that happens the odd little incident was reported in the local paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in accompaniment

something that is found along with something else a teen discovering that taxes are the inevitable and evil incident of a paying job

Synonyms & Similar Words

incident

2 of 2

adjective

as in accompanying

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

That means talking to the parents, teachers and even law enforcement to see if there have been any reports of incidents at the home. —

Holly Yan, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024 But that incident happened in Canton, Ohio, and the woman was not a Haitian immigrant. —

Maria Ramirez Uribe and Amy Sherman, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024

Adjective

If a pre-incident crew had ever been assigned to a ski area, this was the first time Lannon had heard of it. —

Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Sep. 2021 Finally, the modern cloud improves auditing capabilities and provides logs and analytics for any post-incident analysis and compliance. —

Vipin Jain, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2021 See all Example Sentences for incident

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incident

Noun

There is no way to buy it, and mothers can only get it for free by participating in events.

Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
The panel pointed out that the Secret Service, already stretched thin by the demands of a presidential campaign, was tasked with protecting two high-profile individuals that day—Trump and first lady Jill Biden, who was attending a nearby event.

Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024