Synonym Chooser

How is the word episode distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of episode are circumstance, event, incident, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

When might circumstance be a better fit than episode?

The words circumstance and episode can be used in similar contexts, but 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 event be used instead of episode?

The meanings of event and episode largely overlap; however, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When could incident be used to replace episode?

The words incident and episode are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

Where would occurrence be a reasonable alternative to episode?

While in some cases nearly identical to episode, 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 episode There’s another scene a few episodes earlier, during Marcello and Elisa’s wedding, when Alfonso gets kicked out of the party. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024 Nine out of the 10 seasons from 1994 through 2004 included an episode that took place on the holiday (with the exception of 1995), and for many fans, watching all of the episodes during the Thanksgiving season is tradition. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024 Reynolds shared his plans during a recent interview for a Variety Awards Circuit Podcast episode, which is set to be released later this week. Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024 Cadle, now an adult, asks in a PBS NewsHour episode that aired on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Kc Baker, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for episode 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for episode
Noun
  • Together, the pair built their own ofrenda at home, then picked out costumes and painted their faces before heading to the annual event at the start of November on the city’s Northside.
    Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
  • This year the event celebrates 25 years of honoring the best of Latin music in Spanish and Portuguese.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The incident began on Sunday when two telecommunications companies detected traffic disruptions likely caused by physical damage to undersea cables.
    Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Police accountability The incident is the 13th shooting this year to involve a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer and the eighth that has led to a fatality, authorities said.
    Karina Tsui, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • People seemed upset at the suggestion that these horrific things could be happening right under your nose in suburbia.
    Keaton Bell, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Regardless of what’s next, one thing is clear: Arcane ranks among the best video game adaptations ever, and stands out amid the current avalanche of releases as a perfect example of how to expand on the world of video games while driving people back to the source.
    Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Fast Fire Watch Guards, as a front-runner in the industry, ensures their team is more than equipped to adapt, no matter the circumstances.
    Kyle Russell, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • While the application is pretty straightforward, sorting out some of the circumstances—this is a facts and circumstances-heavy analysis—may be more complicated.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near episode

Cite this Entry

“Episode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/episode. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on episode

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!