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 In suboptimal circumstances, Zollers looked the part of a Power 4 quarterback. Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025 Patterson returns to Charlotte following a monthslong controversy over the circumstances of Jennings’ split with the city, including a secretive six-figure settlement that triggered an investigation by the State Auditor’s Office. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025 That Athletic story noted that Kelly grew up in difficult circumstances in Campbellton, Florida; his father sold drugs and his mother used them. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025 After the gargantuan task of playing a six-hour and 39-minute baseball game, it was almost expected that the Dodgers would be somewhat hampered, but the Toronto Blue Jays not only had the same circumstances, but handily won Game 4. Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for circumstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstance
Noun
  • Dek is now free to fulfil his own destiny.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • However, destiny has one more surprise in store.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • That is because their brightness may be strongly affected by the age of the progenitor stars of these explosive events.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Prince William's biggest event of the year went head-to-head with Prince Harry's support for military veterans during a trip to Canada on Wednesday.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Rather, the slow start (by Ovechkin’s standards) to this season seemed due more to poor puck luck.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The team dealt with some tough injury luck and never got on a roll.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In other words, investors might bail on companies such as Nvidia, Oracle, and CoreWeave, whose fates are deemed too closely tied up with OpenAI’s.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Hekate is the goddess of fate and the night, who is grossly misunderstood throughout history.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Displacing 80,000 tons, the Fujian is the closest thing afloat to the US Navy’s 97,000-ton Nimitz-class carriers, which make up 10 of the 11 carriers in the US fleet.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But things just weren't right with her.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Ava was a big athletic blonde who could have had a chance in Hollywood.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The question is whether the San Francisco defense can get enough stops to give this offense a chance.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But with each successive draft, the inciting incident—Noah being invited to Marfa—was pulled earlier and earlier toward the start.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • At this time, the exact location and details surrounding this incident are unclear.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Unfortunate accidents or something more sinister?
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The couple also performed as part of Garcia’s side project, the Jerry Garcia Band, from 1976-1978 and formed their own side project, The Ghosts (later the Heart of Gold Band); Keith Godchaux, 32, died from injuries in a car accident in July 1980 shortly after the couple’s first concert together.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Circumstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstance. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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