incidence

noun

Definition of incidencenext
as in prevalence
the rate at which something happens They found an increased incidence of crime in the city when social programs were cut.

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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 incidence This feature, introduced in 2024, directs travelers to verified official institutions, reducing the incidence of fraud and minimizing confusion at immigration on arrival. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026 Infection is also continuing to trigger long COVID, although incidence is difficult to measure. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026 Rural health-care clinics are closing, even as Iowa has one of the highest cancer-incidence rates in the country. — Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Moline says 38 cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed among the nearly 155,000 people enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program to date, an incidence that already appears to be about three times as high as in the general population. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incidence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incidence
  1. prevalence
  2. occurrence
  3. frequency
Noun
  • The company’s new Aura software measures hive health, pollen counts, and pesticide prevalence across its 2,200 hives spread around more than 70 cities.
    — Drew Robb, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Medicare Advantage plans shift costs to enrollees A defining feature of Florida’s Medicare Advantage market is the prevalence of plans charging no monthly premium beyond the beneficiary’s required Part B expense.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of prevalence
Noun
  • For Hale and his group, known as People’s Vision Zero, the work was an improvement and long overdue in a part of Los Angeles where cars hitting pedestrians is an all too common occurrence.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The scale of the decline triggered a circuit breaker, temporarily halting trading on the exchange — a frequent occurrence this year in a stock market dominated by just two stocks.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of occurrence
Noun
  • At a time of high infant mortality and short lifespans, the specter of early death hangs over them as friends and family members die with great and sudden frequency.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Xerf uses dual-frequency energy administered through a patented device that glides across the skin.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of frequency

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inchoative
incidence
incident
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Cite this Entry

“Incidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incidence. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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