incident 1 of 2

noun

ˈin(t)-sə-dənt How to pronounce incident (audio)
Definition of incidentnext
1
as in event
something that happens the odd little incident was reported in the local paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in accompaniment
something that is found along with something else a teen discovering that taxes are the inevitable and evil incident of a paying job

Synonyms & Similar Words

incident

2 of 2

adjective

as in accompanying

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 gruesome incident took place at The Reserve at Ashton Village, a residential complex in Ashville, Ohio. — Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025 His publicist, Lewis Kay, said at the time that the incident resulted from a combination of exhaustion and altitude. — Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 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
  1. event
  2. accompaniment
  3. accompanying
  4. thing
  5. attendant
  6. circumstance
  7. episode
  8. concomitant
Noun
  • Such violent celestial events may have left a clue in ancient rocks in the form of a rare element.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Tesla electric vehicles have become a popular target since billionaire CEO Elon Musk gave what some considered to be a Nazi salute during an inaugural event for President Donald Trump last November.
    — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of event
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
Definition of accompaniment
Adjective
  • Brian Hopkins, 2nd, whose ward includes Streeterville, responded by calling (not for the first time) for moving the existing 10 p.m. curfew for minors who are downtown without an accompanying adult back to 8 p.m.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Its accompanying music video, directed by Camille Summers-Valli, features Drew Starkey, takes on the role of Danielle's lover.
    — Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of accompanying
Noun
  • Related Articles Frank & Eileen Waverly Button-Up Shirt Price upon publish date of this article: $268 The specific aesthetic both Moore and Frank & Eileen went for in this case is rooted in all things NYC: a place that the actress, author, and entrepreneur considers home.
    — Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Certainty about tariff uncertainty U.S. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett acknowledged that there will be more uncertainty regarding tariffs before things settle down.
    — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of thing
Adjective
  • The current crisis of economic inequality—with its attendant democratic instability—stems directly from policies guided by free-market fundamentalism.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Given the limitations of book publishing, the 50th season and the attendant speculation about the future of the show and its creator could not be included in Lorne.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of attendant
Noun
  • If a person is arrested in violation of the settlement agreement, they must in most circumstances be released from detention without having to pay bond and without conditions of release, according to Rebecca Glenberg, chief supervising litigation counsel at the ACLU of Illinois.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
  • That idea—of a grand continuum, in which the circumstances change but all of our big human feelings (heartache, joy, unease, panic, contentment) remain the same, across time and vast distances—felt germane to her new songs.
    — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of circumstance
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
Definition of episode
Adjective
  • Such a shift invokes concomitant issues, ones that Bentley is not alone in facing.
    — Brett Berk, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2025
  • My favorite was the dystopian one featured in the tour’s promotional, majestically capturing a Black, womanly otherworldliness concomitant with her performance.
    — Julian Randall, Essence, 9 Oct. 2024
Definition of concomitant

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Cite this Entry

“Incident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incident. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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