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 McKenna’s most recent primetime gig was a February 2024 episode of NCIS. —

Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 3 Feb. 2025 On today's episode, Matt Jones is joined by Anthony Kristensen and Christina Long to talk about the Razorbacks' 89-79 win over Kentucky. —

Anthony Kristensen, arkansasonline.com, 3 Feb. 2025 In the late 1980s, Steve had a nasty episode at Harvard, badgered by the politically correct, and unsupported by the university at large. —

Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 3 Feb. 2025 While the women are at the forefront of the show, Johnson — along with Tyreek Hill, Philip Wheeler and a few other cast partners — make appearances in the episodes. —

Skyler Caruso, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for episode

Recent Examples of Synonyms for episode

Noun

The event is characterized as a huge success and falls nicely into a calendar of public and fundraising events that help attract visitors, donations and awareness to the growing zoo.

— Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
In a briefing on Jan. 30, chief of staff for the Army’s aviation directorate, Jonathan Koziol, told reporters that the Black Hawk was on a training mission at the time of the crash, specifically preparing to evacuate government officials in the event of a catastrophic event.

— Toria Sheffield, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025