1
as in destiny
a state or end that seemingly has been decided beforehand
the condemned murderer seemed indifferent to his circumstance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in event
something that happens
due to unexpected circumstances, the test will be postponed
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in luck
the uncertain course of events
I was a victim of circumstance, for nothing that I could have done would have made a difference
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Advocacy groups advise evaluating individual circumstances, as some may benefit from switching now, while others might wait.
—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
But winning two of three games over the weekend — in front of three sellout crowds, and under these circumstances — showed resiliency and determination.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Rochester is reshaped by circumstance; Heathcliff is consumed by it.
—
Literary Hub,
29 June 2026
Under such circumstances, Americans may begin to ask different questions.
—
Steven Delco,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for circumstance
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
But winning two of three games over the weekend — in front of three sellout crowds, and under these circumstances — showed resiliency and determination.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Rochester is reshaped by circumstance; Heathcliff is consumed by it.
—
Literary Hub,
29 June 2026
Under such circumstances, Americans may begin to ask different questions.
—
Steven Delco,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for circumstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstance
Noun
-
In August 1781, a couple of months before the end of the war, Sedgwick and his co-counsel, a law professor named Tapping Reeve, appeared in the Great Barrington Inferior Court of Common Pleas, a small wooden building where a jury would decide the destinies of Freeman and Brom.
-
Afterward, shareholders captured nearly all the gains—a conscious reallocation, not market destiny.
Noun
-
Greenwood is leading a series of high-profile events to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.
-
Fans from around the world attended the event, with many saying this World Cup has felt different.
Noun
-
Perhaps the problem arose from the extravagant expectations of American life, the sense that bad luck will always be chased by good fortune and that the poor man is merely someone who has yet to strike it rich.
-
Members gather on local piers to learn crabbing techniques, understand regulations and try their luck at bringing home fresh seafood.
Noun
-
Diaz said the fate of the next 250 years for the United States is dependent on how adults prepare the next generation to take on the mantle.
-
The deal brings to a close a legal battle that dragged in the courts over several years between Yale New Haven Health and Prospect Medical Holdings concerning the fate of Prospect’s three Connecticut hospitals.
Noun
-
This was most obvious during Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour, when brands capitalized on all things Taylor — friendship bracelets, themed drinks and even concert outfits.
-
Eliminating that gap is one of the hardest things an organization can do.
Noun
-
For the best chance of seeing them, move away from city lights, lie flat on your back and look toward the southern sky near the Aquarius constellation, NASA says.
-
Now’s your chance to grab a closet’s worth of sleek, sculpting essentials, like the SpanxShape Booty Boost leggings for $44 off, and the SpanxSmooth Jersey Crewneck T-Shirt for $30 off.
Noun
-
The Florida Forest Service has classified the incident as an active wildfire in Broward County's Everglades field unit.
-
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, said states are shouldering costs once covered by the federal government and often learn about cyber incidents through news reporting rather than federal briefings.
Noun
-
Eiglarsh added that while the suffering of the families was evident throughout the trial, the defense successfully argued that the crash was a tragic accident.
-
Was fatal boat crash just an accident — or was Pino reckless?
Cite this Entry
“Circumstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstance. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
