1
as in destinies
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 things
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 circumstances
Unusual circumstances in the inning as Binderup blasted a shot back at the pitcher, and the ball got caught in the pitcher's jersey.
—
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Leighty declined to provide further details about the mariner and the circumstances of their death, citing the ongoing investigation.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Mar. 2026
Further details about the circumstances of the strike and the identities of the victims were not immediately available.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
But the proposals share some of the same themes, goals and circumstances.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
No information has been released regarding the circumstances of their deaths.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
The rule applies regardless of nationality or circumstances.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
In the 24 hours since Moore’s death, several players took to social media to mourn the gifted receiver and advocate for supporting others going through difficult circumstances.
—Mike Wilson, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Detectives found a woman and determined the circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Leighty declined to provide further details about the mariner and the circumstances of their death, citing the ongoing investigation.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Mar. 2026
Further details about the circumstances of the strike and the identities of the victims were not immediately available.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
But the proposals share some of the same themes, goals and circumstances.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
No information has been released regarding the circumstances of their deaths.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
The rule applies regardless of nationality or circumstances.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
In the 24 hours since Moore’s death, several players took to social media to mourn the gifted receiver and advocate for supporting others going through difficult circumstances.
—Mike Wilson, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Detectives found a woman and determined the circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstances
Noun
-
That’s the hope of the United States and Israel, which have urged the Iranian people to take hold of their destinies following the war.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And upstairs, rooftop bar High Praise keeps things fresh with rotating pop-ups throughout the year.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The little things added up Tuesday.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
So far, though, astronomers haven't had much luck finding any such line.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But many people who bought travel insurance as a financial backstop to protect against such travel disruptions may be out of luck.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If our fates were inscribed in our genetics, why would anyone bother to maintain a skin-care routine, much less go to the trouble of jamming his tongue against the top of his mouth or whacking himself with a hammer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
-
While their genre peers’ fates have varied, Mumford & Sons remained perennial arena and festival headliners, with an ambitious midcareer streak in the studio.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Recent events served as another reminder.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Avoiding documentary-like methods that presume to grasp events in large visual gulps, Ouédraogo offers visual fragments (however ample) that conjure a spectrum of experience that goes beyond what’s onscreen.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Panthers gave up five grade-A chances in the opening 10 minutes of the game, and Bobrovsky held up.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
An unsettled weather pattern is expected to take hold and linger through the middle of next week, bringing chances of daily thunderstorms, some of which could turn strong to severe, with pockets of locally heavy rainfall.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At least 20 incidents were reported as seizures, including some that resulted in head trauma.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
There are currently no traffic incidents reported in this area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One Spanish study published in the journal Epidemiology found a startling 30% increase in fatal car accidents from 1990 to 2014 on the day clocks sprang forward.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The board would be styled after the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates all civilian aviation accidents, along with other disasters.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumstances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstances. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
