Synonym Chooser

How is the word circumstance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of circumstance are episode, event, incident, and occurrence. While all these words mean "something that happens or takes place," circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

When could episode be used to replace circumstance?

The words episode and circumstance can be used in similar contexts, but episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

When might event be a better fit than circumstance?

The meanings of event and circumstance largely overlap; however, event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

When can incident be used instead of circumstance?

While the synonyms incident and circumstance are close in meaning, incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

When would occurrence be a good substitute for circumstance?

Although the words occurrence and circumstance have much in common, 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 circumstance Valerie, Karen, and Renee all arrived at the Rainbow Lodge overwhelmed by their own life circumstances. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025 Flying can be a hassle even under the best of circumstances. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 15 May 2025 In today's opinion by Justice Kagan, SCOTUS unanimously reaffirms that the reasonableness is based on the totality of the circumstances. Peter Aitken gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 The Heat’s philosophy of relentlessly pushing for wins regardless of the circumstance is tied to that culture, which may have actually hurt Miami this year. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for circumstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstance
Noun
  • Features footage the director shot over 20 years, traversing all of his past films in an epic look at the romantic destiny of his perennial heroine, Qiaoqiao.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 May 2025
  • The Trump administration might believe that Ukraine’s destiny has no bearing on the future of the NATO alliance.
    Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • This year’s event will be headlined by R&B heartthrob Mario and Hip-Hop vet Jadakiss with additional performances by house music icons and more.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025
  • Implement Real-Time Security Observability • Employ real-time logging and monitoring in cloud environments to track security events.
    Harini Shankar, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The chip company was contacted and made attempts to reach the registered owner, but no luck.
    TJ Macias, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2025
  • Madeline Coleman Williams rockets ahead in 2025’s ‘best of the rest’ battle Williams’ race showed how the Imola contest was about strategy amid the passing challenge, plus a dash of luck.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • The 10 seconds between numbers feel interminable when the fate of 14 selections is on the line.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • The fate of current Thursdays-at-9 occupant Doctor Odyssey remains TBD.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Instead of approaching them and giving them the opportunity to say mean things to you, consider trying to make friends with other girls -- girls who might like to be friends with you too.
    Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
  • People would be discussing things, sketching things, spilling out at night, drinking coffee in the day, and having cocktails at night.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • There are two primary strategies to consider: Pre-Earnings Positioning: Review the historical probabilities of positive and negative reactions and establish a position before the earnings announcement, recognizing the equal chances.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • In fact, only 9 percent of respondents were willing to accept a 40% or greater chance of loss.
    Tim Koller, Time, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Valencia returned home that day around 1 p.m. before leaving in their black 2006 Honda Accord, his wife told deputies, per the incident report.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • The incident report was issued Saturday at 10:36 a.m., and the last update regarding this incident was released on Saturday at 11:01 a.m. Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: There were no traffic incidents reported in this area for the past 12 hours.
    Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Some patients have received custom titanium facial implants after accidents.
    Anne Schmitz, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
  • The car accident in 1987 changed their lives and wedding plans but not their love for each other.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Circumstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstance. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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