situational

adjective

sit·​u·​a·​tion·​al ˌsi-chə-ˈwā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or appropriate to a situation

2

: of or relating to situation ethics

situationally adverb

Examples of situational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

County officials heralded the investigation for providing new details from the chaotic first hours of the firestorm, which highlighted incident commanders’ lack of situational awareness. —Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

Calm, situational guidance does not perform as well. —Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Equipped with powerful radar, the Saab planes provide situational awareness about aircraft and missile movements for hundreds of miles (kilometers). —ABC News, 27 May 2026

The side with the best access to information, coordination, and situational awareness has the advantage, not necessarily the best aircraft on paper. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing situational

• situational irony

Rhymes for situational

• formational
• foundational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• notational
• relational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational
• vibrational

Medical Definition

situational

adjective

sit·​u·​a·​tion·​al -shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or occurring in a particular set of circumstances

situational impotence

situational hypertension

situationally

-ē 

adverb