coincidence

noun

co·​in·​ci·​dence kō-ˈin(t)-sə-dən(t)s How to pronounce coincidence (audio)
-sə-ˌden(t)s
Synonyms of coincidence
1
: the act or condition of coinciding : correspondence
… a perfect coincidence between truth and goodness …—Robert South
2
: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection
… causal connection requires something more than mere coincidence as to time and place …—Wayne R. LaFave
also : any of these occurrences

Synonyms of coincidence

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Examples of coincidence in a Sentence

It was mere coincidence that brought them together so far from Chicago. By coincidence, every man in the room was named Fred. “I'm going to Boston this weekend.” “What a coincidence! I am too.” It was no coincidence that he quit his job at the bank a day after the robbery. a series of strange coincidences By a fortunate coincidence, we arrived at the theater at the same time. Scientists have no explanation for the coincidence of these phenomena.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Bond market turmoil and the simultaneous mass student protests at French schools are not a coincidence and point to the generational tradeoffs made in government spending, according to Nobel laureate Paul Krugman. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 That’s not a coincidence – that march unfolded within a 15-minute drive from the Blue Ridge Mountain camp that hosts people seeking to find community with other non-believers. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 By coincidence, at the time of the Paramount dinner, Katie was reportedly in talks with the company about an acquisition of her podcast, which features major interviews with Cabinet members and business titans. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026 Then in a complete coincidence that the show doesn’t even bother treating like anything other than a complete coincidence, Max discovers the records for a person who has been collecting social security since the program began, which is suspicious. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coincidence

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin coincidentia, derivative of coincident-, coincidens, present participle of coincidere "to agree in nature, coincide"

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coincidence was in 1605

Rhymes for coincidence

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Browse Nearby Words

coincide
coincidence
coincidence method
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Cite this Entry

“Coincidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coincidence. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

coincidence

noun
co·​in·​ci·​dence kō-ˈin(t)-səd-ən(t)s How to pronounce coincidence (audio)
1
: the act or condition of coinciding
2
a
: two things that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection
b
: either one of these happenings
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