occasion 1 of 2

Definition of occasionnext
1
as in time
a particular point at which an event takes place on that occasion, I didn't actually meet your father

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2
as in opportunity
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place the substitute violinist rose to the occasion and performed the piece beautifully

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4

occasion

2 of 2

verb

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 occasion
Noun
Perfect for all of your dressy occasions, these wide-leg dress pants are comfortable to wear, thanks to their elastic waistband and loose design. Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026 In a tribute marking the occasion, Ang Lee praised him as the kind of performer every director hopes to work with, one who holds nothing back and raises the level of everyone around him. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, was sentenced at London’s Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, after he was found guilty in January of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, British news agency PA Media reported. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026 Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after being charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occasion
Noun
  • O’Neal, the daughter of four-time NBA champion and Naismith Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, entered the portal April 14 after two seasons at UF; former head coach Kelly Rae Finley was fired by administration in March after five seasons at the helm.
    Caroline Makauskas, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • During a 10-year stretch from 2012 to 2020, Rolando had 40 or more players in the program six times, peaking at 57 in 2012.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In a sign of the pressure for Republicans to take advantage of the opportunity, multiple hopefuls running for governor in GOP primaries called for immediate redraws.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • What once felt like an opportunity to close has become something closer to a necessity.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Initially treated as a death by natural causes, the case was later ruled a homicide after an undertaker noticed a knife wound on the back of her neck.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Trump has argued that last weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner demonstrates why the ballroom is needed to hold safe, secure events for the president and other officials.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Our Consider This event takes place on Thursday, May 7 on the Universal lot, with a reception to follow at the Peacock Grill.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • April 20 – May 20 The right choice today brings both comfort and quiet confidence.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Taurus April 20 – May 20 The right choice today brings both comfort and quiet confidence.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The game changed in that moment.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • And thus the audience is stuck with this scenario, which complicates in intensity and with a linguistic relish that has its funny moments (for some, anyway), but also features a lot of crudity that really wrenches you away from the typical landscape of the classy, urban American farce.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Rain chances increase this afternoon with a focus from midafternoon through a bit beyond sunset expected.
    Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Hachimura flew past the Houston post players for a last-chance offensive rebound and finished off a passing seminar for a second-chance basket to go with a two-possession lead in overtime.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Some of today’s most interesting films are shot on such devices, under circumstances that corroborate their all-purpose convenience and utility.
    Dennis Lim, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Desperation under dire circumstances didn’t stop the Lakers from finding their lifeline in a 112-108 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets, winning the 5-minute extra period 11-7 after a stunning comeback in the final minute of regulation.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Occasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occasion. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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