Synonyms for

Incident

Verb / ˈɪnsʌdʌnt / Another word for incident — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

An event or occurrence, usually negative or unpleasant, that happens unexpectedly and often requires action to be taken.

Synonyms & similar words

Synonyms by register

Antonyms

Common collocations

  • minor incident
  • serious incident
  • major incident
  • security incident
  • traffic incident
  • reported incident
  • unfortunate incident

Word family

verb incide
adjective incidental

Usage note

Often used to describe an event that is disruptive or unusual. 'Incident' can sometimes imply a minor disturbance, while 'accident' typically suggests unintentional harm or damage.

Example sentences

  1. The incident with the cake left a huge mess in the kitchen.
  2. The police were called to investigate the incident at the bank.
  3. The incident on the playground led to a new rule being put in place.
  4. The incident at the party caused some people to leave early.
  5. The incident on the highway caused a long delay in traffic.

Quotes

  • 'Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.' - Lao Tzu
  • 'The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.' - Epictetus
  • 'The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.' - Winston Churchill

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