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
Wyoming Highway Patrol confirmed that a fatal traffic incident occurred in Laramie on March 23, but did not provide any further details, including whether or not anyone was charged in the collision, according to local news outlet Cowboy State Daily. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025 The incident was reported Saturday at 11:06 a.m., and the latest update regarding this incident was made available on Saturday at 11:37 a.m. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2025
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
  • Photos and videos: Family photos, vacation videos, special events like weddings or graduations and other personal memories that cannot be recreated.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The event will take place from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday at 6902 S. Eisenman Road. KTVB reported earlier on Stewart and Wright’s initiative.
    Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Crackers, nuts, jams, honey, fruit, and bread are ideal accompaniments.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025
  • In my experience, the cheese course comes first in the U.S. and is more of grazing board with charcuterie and fun accompaniments.
    Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • On Tuesday, Miley Cyrus followed her album announcement with a trailer for its accompanying film, which teases an imaginative storyline backed by the album’s 13 tracks.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Overall, the price is worth the solid feel, handy storage compartments, high-end feel (without the accompanying price tag) and wood touches.
    Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Jake Paul has nothing but good things to say about his Disney days.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Few things can complicate the otherwise straightforward matter of death quite like family and the possibility of inheritance.
    Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Artist and photographer Nona Faustine, who made Black womanhood and the attendant topics of identity, history, and representation her subjects in works of stunning visual power, died in New York on March 20.
    News Desk, Artforum, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Whereas distressed assets do have great upside potential, there are also attendant risks that should be properly addressed.
    Arman Harutyunyan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • His lawyers noted there are many circumstances which might make a person ineligible for bond, such as coming in at a port of entry and having a visa questioned.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The man who is arguably the most famous or legendary keyboard sideman in rock talked with Variety about the circumstances of his new album, his current west coast tour (with more dates to be added further east) and his eternal eagerness to salute his forebears.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Throughout the episode, Saxon is putting together the pieces of the night before.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Co-created with star Stephen Graham, the four-part series uses a daring one-shot for each episode to call attention to widespread reports of young boys involved in knife crimes.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This is why increased funding for ESAs and concomitant public school cuts can only be done in a measured manner.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Such a shift invokes concomitant issues, ones that Bentley is not alone in facing.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incident. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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