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
One pivotal source emerged under sordid circumstances.
—
David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Broward County detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
—David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
There was circumstances in that race at the state legislative level not involved with Congress.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The agency’s Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives and crime scene investigators took over the case, and the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
—Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
More information on the circumstances and motive surrounding the shooting and assault was not immediately available.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Like many psychedelic retreat operators in the US and abroad, Confluence requires prospective participants to provide a medical and psychiatric history to screen for conditions, circumstances and drugs that could present safety issues.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Chorney assessed his circumstances and didn’t see school as an option.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Experts said that timeline would be tough in the best of circumstances.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Broward County detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
—David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026
There was circumstances in that race at the state legislative level not involved with Congress.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The agency’s Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives and crime scene investigators took over the case, and the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
—Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
More information on the circumstances and motive surrounding the shooting and assault was not immediately available.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Like many psychedelic retreat operators in the US and abroad, Confluence requires prospective participants to provide a medical and psychiatric history to screen for conditions, circumstances and drugs that could present safety issues.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Chorney assessed his circumstances and didn’t see school as an option.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Experts said that timeline would be tough in the best of circumstances.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstances
Noun
-
To destinies that cross front lines and are never the same again.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In this way, the film becomes a manifesto for alternate destinies within the Black experience, and a semi-formal goodbye letter to the delusional but politically expedient optimism of the 2010s, wherein the end of the neoliberal order becomes a gateway to renewed self-possession and agency.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks only truly made things interesting in minutes the former Brooklyn Nets star and sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer spent on the bench on Tuesday.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Upstairs at Place, things are a little more formal.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Reed had some luck in the low post, but the Blue Devils also started to double him, slowing his production.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Some states have had far more lottery luck than others.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Never — and this includes the Dodgers’ time in bankruptcy court — have the fates of the two Los Angeles franchises been so disparate.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But unsurprisingly, these companies’ fates are more likely to impact the rest of the female founder ecosystem, while the outcomes for companies with male founders facing the same challenges won’t affect men’s ability to raise capital.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Tune Into the Rhythm of Filipino Festivals After a nearly three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, festivals across the Philippines are once again taking the stage, filling up the events calendar with vivacious celebrations of local culture and tradition.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
March's meteor madness March had several notable fireball events.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Blackhawks, who are well out of the playoff picture, went scoreless on three power-play chances while the Flyers were 0 for 4 on the power play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The teams traded baskets and chances most of the night.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
White Settlement detectives collaborated with agencies across North Texas to determine whether the three suspects were connected to similar incidents in the Metroplex, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the incidents had not resulted in physical injuries; in some cases, prosecutors charged people for assaulting agents with such weapons as a tambourine, an umbrella, and a Subway sandwich.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Elsewhere in northwestern Croatia, snowy conditions and winds have led to frequent traffic accidents, warned the country auto-club, or HAK, which monitors the road situation for drivers and provides aid if needed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Without the horn, crossings must rely on gates, signals and street design to prevent accidents.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumstances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstances. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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