event

noun

i-ˈvent How to pronounce event (audio)
Definition of eventnext
1
as in incident
something that happens dinnertime was devoted to talking over the day's events, not to watching television

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in possibility
something that might happen in the event of rain, graduation ceremonies will be held indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tournament
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize figure skating is usually one of the most popular events in the winter Olympics

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in party
a social gathering the mayor's evenings are often tied up with one event after another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word event distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of event are circumstance, episode, incident, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When can circumstance be used instead of event?

The words circumstance and event are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

When would episode be a good substitute for event?

In some situations, the words episode and event are roughly equivalent. However, episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

When is incident a more appropriate choice than event?

While in some cases nearly identical to event, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

When might occurrence be a better fit than event?

Although the words occurrence and event have much in common, 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 event Stockton recalled a 2023 event put on by the Young Americans for Freedom, a conservative campus group. —Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025 The reporter on this story received access to this event from MSC Cruises. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 Wednesday will mark 100 years since the first passenger train arrived at the Boise Depot, and the city is celebrating the landmark with four days of events. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for event
Recent Examples of Synonyms for event
  1. incident
  2. possibility
  3. tournament
  4. party
  5. thing
  6. case
  7. competition
  8. circumstance
Noun
  • According to the news release from the Los Angeles Police Department, the incident occurred Tuesday afternoon, April 8, after California Highway Patrol requested backup in locating three misdemeanor hit-and-run suspects who fled into a residential neighborhood of Eagle Rock in Los Angeles.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority also confirmed the incident in a statement.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of incident
Noun
  • Its landscapes don’t offer guarantees, but rather the tantalizing tease of possibility.
    — Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
  • There is hope of working with his camp to find a new club — a move to a league like Saudi Arabia’s is not the only option and finding a team in Europe could be a possibility.
    — Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of possibility
Noun
  • The Miami guard scored 30 points, and the team’s loss put them in the 10th spot in the playoffs – at the edge of the play-in tournament.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Heat can finish the regular season anywhere between eighth and 10th place in the East, as the NBA’s play-in tournament features the seventh-through-10th-place teams competing for the final two playoff seeds in each conference.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of tournament
Noun
  • The Recruit followed Owen Hendricks (Centineo), a CIA lawyer, who becomes involved in massive international conflicts with dangerous parties after an asset tries to expose their relationship to the agency.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Katherine Heigl is planning her gift for Jeffrey Dean Morgan's 60th birthday party (the actor turns 59 in April).
    — EW.com, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of party
Noun
  • Afterwards, the biggest thing the Rangers said was about the constant breakdowns resulting in virtually every non empty goal being scored by players not being closely defended.
    — Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But the great thing about cottage cheese is that it can be eaten in so many different ways.
    — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of thing
Noun
  • The agency adds that 1,587 cases of the celery were impacted by the advisory.
    — Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • There’s a solid case that Kadri and Kapanen provided more value than the 2024-25 duo.
    — Nick Ashbourne, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of case
Noun
  • The major driver for the decline in coal use is the economic competition with cheaper and cleaner fuels, such as natural gas and renewables, Ryna Cui, research director for the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland, told ABC News.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That also plays out of competition in Cannes Premiere.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of competition
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
  • What To Know Moore, who joined RHOA in Season 5 and became a central figure, has been outspoken about the circumstances surrounding her suspension.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of circumstance

Phrases Containing event

Browse Nearby Words

evensongs
event
eventful
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Cite this Entry

“Event.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/event. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on event

Nglish: Translation of event for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about event

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