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 an interview in June with the Tennessee Holler, Newsom acknowledged that there were issues related to officers' safety in certain circumstances that might require masks. Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 But, lo and behold, these are actual people and every single character in this movie, despite their circumstances, has a personality. Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025 Under normal circumstances, PKM2 helps regulate how neurons use glucose for energy, but when glucose is scarce, this balance shifts in a way that drives CCK interneurons into overactivity. New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025 Although only a year and a half had passed, circumstances were much more dire for the nation’s democracy movement. Lauren Grodstein, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for circumstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstance
Noun
  • Russia has not rediscovered its imperial destiny.
    Jeremy Shapiro, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Progress beats perfection, and everyone is the master of their own destiny.
    Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On Wednesday afternoon, Turning Point USA founder and right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The latest commitment will allow Startup Junkie to continue the program for three years and expand the team's capacity to serve clients and prospective borrowers with more resources, hands-on support and events.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With any luck, it will someday be reversed, like other famous examples of Supreme Court decisions that reflected prejudice against African-Americans, Japanese-Americans, and others.
    Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Rather than hang out with the two old hags, Cherry decides to try her luck on the stand-up paddleboards with Brigitte and Daniel, but quickly loses her balance.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The fate of higher education will determine the strength of our workforce, the pace of innovation, and America's global competitiveness.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • With just 24 hours to decide the fate of the house, old resentments bubble up, secrets are exposed and shifting alliances test whatever bonds remain.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And your decisions affect other things.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Our main quibbles were with the fans—fan buzz and a lack of more fan filtration are two things to contend with—but experienced PC builders will find workarounds.
    Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Investors peg the chances of a quarter-point rate cut this month at about 90% and the odds of a half-point cut at nearly 10%, according to CME FedWatch Tool, a measure of market sentiment.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • What began as a chance to build a sales team and achieve financial independence turned into a mission to serve working families.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In one incident, his attorney said, Egyptian forces with machine guns stormed into an apartment where Soliman was asleep with his wife and young child.
    Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The incident marks the first time that Poland engaged assets in its airspace since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This is not simply a fortunate accident.
    Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • On September 2, 2025, her children filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia's State Court of Gwinnett County against the drivers, truck manufacturers, and trucking companies responsible for the Alabama truck accident that caused fatal injuries to Stone while injuring several others.
    John Perlstein, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Circumstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstance. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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