Thesaurus results for OCCURRENCE

Q: How is the word 'occurrence' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of occurrence are circumstance , episode , event , and incident . While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan. // an encounter that was a chance occurrence

Q: When is it sensible to use 'circumstance' instead of 'occurrence'?

The words circumstance and occurrence 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

Q: In what contexts can 'episode' take the place of 'occurrence'?

Although the words episode and occurrence have much in common, episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident. // a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

Q: When is 'event' a more appropriate choice than 'occurrence'?

In some situations, the words event and occurrence are roughly equivalent. However, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause. // the events following the assassination

Q: When would 'incident' be a good substitute for 'occurrence'?

The meanings of incident and occurrence largely overlap; however, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance. // a minor wartime incident

occurrence

noun

ə-ˈkər-ən(t)s

Definition of occurrence next

as in event

something that happens life is full of random occurrences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word occurrence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of occurrence are circumstance, episode, event, and incident. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

When is it sensible to use circumstance instead of occurrence?

The words circumstance and occurrence 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

In what contexts can episode take the place of occurrence?

Although the words episode and occurrence have much in common, episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

When is event a more appropriate choice than occurrence?

In some situations, the words event and occurrence are roughly equivalent. However, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When would incident be a good substitute for occurrence?

The meanings of incident and occurrence largely overlap; however, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

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 occurrence While a system-wide outage may happen once or twice a year, user experience issues are a daily occurrence. —

Aditya Ganjam, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 The space agency said that the events are a nearly daily occurrence on the planet, but often last for around 30 seconds. —

James Powel, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 Though guttation is a common occurrence on these fruiting bodies, the bright red droplets eventually dry up and turn more brown colored. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 31 Oct. 2024 Requests for federal aid are a routine occurrence, to deal with not only worsening wildfires but also severe storms that have become more common as the West suffers more extreme shifts from wet to dry. —

Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for occurrence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occurrence

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