accident

noun

ˈak-sə-dənt How to pronounce accident (audio)
Definition of accidentnext
1
as in casualty
a chance and usually sudden event bringing loss or injury was involved in a minor accident on her way home from work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in luck
the uncertain course of events you shouldn't leave it to accident to decide where you'll be lodging in the course of your trip across the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 accident Road accidents are frequent in Africa’s most populous country, in part due to poor road conditions and lax enforcement of traffic laws. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 Instead of a nanny, Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson) is a up-and-coming writer hired to help famed author Verity Crawford (Hathaway) finish her series of twisted psychological thrillers after a car accident left her unable to complete them on her own. — Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026 Choo Young-woo plays former swimmer Park Min-jae, who was forced to retire after an accident cost him his leg. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 Hathaway stars as the reclusive author Verity Crawford in the movie, who’s unable to finish her latest novel after an accident. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accident
  1. casualty
  2. luck
  3. disaster
  4. chance
  5. catastrophe
  6. circumstance
  7. mishap
  8. tragedy
Noun
  • And for those who might further ask, If this is a war, who are the American casualties?
    — Daniel Peña, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Security authorities in Aden said the Houthis targeted the airport with two missiles, with no casualties.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of casualty
Noun
  • It is said that touching the polished engravings of the event placed at the pedestal of the Nepomuk statue will bring luck and ensure a return to Prague.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Playing Stratego well requires randomizing the arrangement of your pieces, so luck always plays a role.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of luck
Noun
  • After the storms, Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation that made additional state resources available for response and recovery, his office said.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Exhibitors include first responder agencies and non-governmental organizations that showcase new technologies, offer recruitment opportunities, and demonstrate local preparedness and disaster response capabilities.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • Traders are now pricing in a 78% chance that the Fed will keep rates unchanged at its next meeting, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The 100 contestants enter the vast kitchen arena ready for a chance to call the shots.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of chance
Noun
  • An institution built explicitly to neutralize biological catastrophes is now at the center of one.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • With climate change making natural disasters far more frequent, some consumers are turning to smaller off-grid electric networks to generate power in the event of a catastrophe.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • With 12 one-score wins in the 2024 season, the Chiefs established an NFL record with 17 straight victories in such precarious circumstances.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Kelker-Kelly reportedly had complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive, and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event, police said.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of circumstance
Noun
  • Many more hurdles rained down in the three decades that followed — music industry changes, family demands, divorces, the pandemic, microphone mishaps, and recently, a management switch.
    — Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • After a weekend of alarming headlines about AI mishaps, public sector breaches, and agents gaining unauthorized access to outside systems, tech and AI CEOs are descending on Washington yet again this week.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of mishap
Noun
  • His story does not add up; there is even more weirdness among extended family, and the tragedies pile up.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce — or in this case, as an uncanny sort of San Francisco camp.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of tragedy

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accessory
accident
accidental
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Cite this Entry

“Accident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accident. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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