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
The incident report was issued Wednesday at 9:28 a.m., and the last update regarding this incident was released on Wednesday at 9:31 a.m. Interstate 670 Current Incidents: There are currently no traffic incidents reported in this area. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025 The incident occurred at the 7:40 mark of the fourth quarter. Jovan Buha, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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 See All Example Sentences for incident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incident
Noun
  • The reporter on this story received access to this event from MSC Cruises.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Volunteering with professional organizations or at industry events is another powerful way to demonstrate your skills, initiative, and passion for your field.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • With tender melodic lines intertwined with intricate accompaniment, the piece offers an emotionally nuanced narrative that explores themes of memory, loss and renewal.
    Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The Pearl Jam frontman plays the cover pretty straight (not that that’s a bad thing), with just acoustic guitar accompaniment and a vocal performance that’s distinctly reminiscent of Young’s soft, quivering tenor.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The parade and accompanying rhetoric highlight how central the military remains to Iran's national posture, especially as the U.S. continues to build up its military presence in the Middle East.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Watch the accompanying music video, directed and produced by Militarie Gun frontman Ian Shelton, below.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As things stand, the Kings would host the Dallas Mavericks for a chance to move on in the tournament and play for the No. 8 seed in the next round.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 10 Apr. 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
  • Although Obama’s circumstances as wife to a president are certainly extraordinary, her comments immediately resonated with women across the country because of their universality.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • While there may be some benefits, health effects will vary depending on individual circumstances and how the diet is followed.
    Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Keep scrolling to discover when the next episode of The Last of Us Season 2 airs, the full release schedule, and the real reason behind this season’s shorter episode count.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On the April 13 episode of The Baldwins, the actor, 67, is home with wife Hilaria Baldwin and the couple are trying yoga together.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Our Charm City has become trapped in a vicious, perilous cycle of addiction and crime, largely sustained by the pervasive urban drug trade and its concomitant gang presence.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In the months after the virus first surfaced, governments stepped in to address the concomitant economic and health crises, rolling out stimulus packages to protect jobs, issuing rules to slow the spread of the disease, and investing in the research and development of treatments and vaccines.
    Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2020

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Cite this Entry

“Incident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incident. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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