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 The organization argued that the circumstances raise serious doubts about legality, accountability, and compliance with international human rights law. Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. Jason Phillips, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 Federal officials have asked the public to consider the circumstances of the attacks and the locations where Tanzer has lived. Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025 The circumstances in Sacramento mirror similar reports across the country that immigrants are being kept inside overcrowded and unsanitary offices for multiple days. Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for circumstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstance
Noun
  • Rodnyansky’s narrative is not focused on the events themselves but on the people, human destinies, and art.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
  • From Shakespeare’s perspective, an individual’s own decisions determine their destiny, not necessarily the interference of black magic.
    Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In her most recent outing, which served as the co-main event of UFC 315 in May of this year, Shevchenko successfully defended her title for the first time in her second reign with a unanimous decision win over Manon Fiorot.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The mission of those events is to get the truck in front of people who are interested in it, those who are already reservation holders and to introduce the company and truck to people who have never heard of Slate.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With a bit more luck in the Safety Car, could have been a P8 or P7, even though the pace is difficult to evaluate.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Thanks to a perfect storm of economic luck, such as affordable home prices and steady wages, boomers have accumulated a collective net worth of $82 trillion— more than double that of Gen X ($42 trillion) and four times that of millennials ($16 trillion), according to data from Investopedia.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Shakespeare, however, leaves their fates unknown.
    Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Their fate lies in the hands of Judge Edward Chen, who has been overseeing that lawsuit.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Nevertheless, the Phillies and Marlins teams were aware that few things are as exciting for a young fan as getting a home run ball.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
  • This homey boutique is a one-stop shop for all things Durango.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As of Thursday, the NHC was monitoring a disturbance in the Atlantic with an 80 percent chance of cyclone formation over the next seven days.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Paul suggested the drug boat’s occupants should have been given a chance to be tried for their crimes.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 4 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
  • Initially dismissed as an accident, Charles, Oliver and Mabel dive headfirst into the investigation, uncovering a sprawling conspiracy that stretches beyond the building’s walls and entangles New York’s old mob families with its newest billionaires.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Damaged airbags also may fail to deploy in case of accidents.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Circumstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstance. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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