Thesaurus results for EPISODE

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

episode

noun

ˈe-pə-ˌsōd

Definition of episode next

as in event

something that happens I'm trying to forget the whole embarrassing episode

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 episode The elevator comes late in a difficult episode for everybody at Lumon. —

Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025 Van Der Beek also starred in the Tubi original film Sidelined: The QB and Me and in one episode of Walker last year. —

Colson Thayer, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025 The Handmaid’s Tale will return for its final episodes on April 8. —

Andy Swift, TVLine, 14 Feb. 2025 Season two of Surface premieres Friday, Feb. 21, with a new episode dropping every Friday through April 11. —

Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for episode

Recent Examples of Synonyms for episode

Noun

Invest in one year of premium journalism, member-only events and more for just $49.99.

— Forbes, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2025
The eventual goal is 100% plastic-free practices in music events, but the process is gradual and involves education, demonstration, logistics, expansion, planning and execution.

— Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 14 Feb. 2025