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
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Recent Examples of circumstances
The circumstances made the role ill-suited to Bennett, and everyone knew that Shawn was beset by phobias.
—
Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Detectives from the Police Department’s Major Collision Investigation Unit responded to take over the investigation, but the circumstances of the crash remained under investigation.
—Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
But the circumstances led to a unique creative process that was richer because all three women were involved.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 Jan. 2026
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Aside from absolutely, under no circumstances, never, ever, ever wearing white, the rules of what to wear as a wedding guest can be tricky.
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
What makes these changes especially revealing is not just their speed, but the circumstances that produced them.
—New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
Investigators did not comment on the circumstances of how the child ended up in the area where he was found.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026
But the truth of the matter is that voters, and especially those who are new and infrequent participants in the political process, are as driven by events and circumstances as anything else.
—Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Detectives from the Police Department’s Major Collision Investigation Unit responded to take over the investigation, but the circumstances of the crash remained under investigation.
—Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
But the circumstances led to a unique creative process that was richer because all three women were involved.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 Jan. 2026
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Aside from absolutely, under no circumstances, never, ever, ever wearing white, the rules of what to wear as a wedding guest can be tricky.
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
What makes these changes especially revealing is not just their speed, but the circumstances that produced them.
—New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
Investigators did not comment on the circumstances of how the child ended up in the area where he was found.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026
But the truth of the matter is that voters, and especially those who are new and infrequent participants in the political process, are as driven by events and circumstances as anything else.
—Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstances
Noun
-
Strategists caution that off-year elections are signals, not destinies, with economic conditions, turnout dynamics, and campaign messaging still capable of reshaping the map before November 2026.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Jan. 2026
-
In 2023, on the fiftieth anniversary of Pinochet’s coup, Boric reminded Chileans of the terrible price their country had paid, and announced a national search plan to ascertain the destinies of as many as three thousand citizens who remain missing.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
However, Chuba Hubbard’s calf injury in the second quarter of the season opened things up for Dowdle to emerge.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Jeff Klaiber took those things and molded Lehman into an Olympian, at times pushing boundaries and pushing Lehman to the brink.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The next night, though, reporting from his hometown brought Dokoupil luck.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
-
With any luck, 2026 could be the year of the hobby.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of revealing the tally of the jury votes on the island, final players would have to wait to learn their fates months later, when the show aired.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
-
To the seats at the tables where so many decisions are made — decisions that dominate our days and dictate our health and determine our fates.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And in between, there are ample other events, tournaments and series that fashion should be watching.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
13 Jan. 2026
-
And events are designed around physiological reality.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
JSerra had a couple of scoring chances.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Rain chances return tomorrow, but most of the day is expected to be dry with several 'waves' of rain rolling through.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The incidents have mainly taken place in states where aerial pesticides have become more commonplace.—
Carolina Abbott Galvão,
The Dial,
6 Jan. 2026
-
According to Reed, that was one of the incidents that motivated Diaz, herself and two other residents to form the Crestwood Crime Patrol.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
They’re designed with a polyester blend that’s abrasion-resistant to prevent accidents and keep you covered up through all your winter hikes.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Officials have also tried to cover up the killings, Amnesty said, by forcing the families of some victims to give interviews to state media blaming accidents or other protesters.—
Babak Dehghanpisheh,
NBC news,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumstances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstances. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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