circumstances

noun

plural of circumstance
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

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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 Everette has a knack for scoring important touchdowns, and when’s facing circumstances that qualify as either make or break, his exact mindset borders on being unstoppable. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Her physical absence changes nothing about the circumstances of our friendship. — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026 The chance of a mistake under those circumstances is significant, according to Krishna Guha, head of economics and central bank strategy at Evercore ISI. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 The circumstances surrounding the deadly assault remain under investigation. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 The circumstances for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Dream and the Valkyries aren’t what anyone wants. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 27 Oct. 2026 These circumstances, too, create a perception of the world as unpredictable and may lead people to seek escape via alcohol or other drugs. — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Claim narratives can be analyzed for patterns in how members described their circumstances before a lapse, revealing early indicators that a structured premium payment record alone would never surface. — Amanda Turcotte, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Barring some extremely unforeseen circumstances, the owners will immediately proceed to a lockout. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstances
  1. destinies
  2. things
  3. luck
  4. fates
  5. events
  6. chances
  7. incidents
  8. accidents
Noun
  • This change in roles also leads to a drastic change in the brothers’ destinies.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Noir, by contrast, brooks no such substitutions, because its conception of authenticity cannot allow for alternative destinies.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of destinies
Noun
  • Born in 1888, Jim Casey spent his life, starting at the tender age of eleven, thinking about how to deliver things more efficiently.
    — Marc Levinson, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • New York — Brett Smiley was elected mayor of Providence in 2022 on a pledge to build more housing and get things done in Rhode Island’s capital city.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of things
Noun
  • The prince didn’t have any luck in blocking Kelce, which comes as little surprise given the Chiefs star knows how to avoid defensive players.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Halloween fireballs Our last pick is going to take a great deal of patience, and a good amount of luck!
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of luck
Noun
  • The fates of the show’s human cast, however, remains unsettled.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There’s this connection between Americans’ lack of control right now and leaving their fates in the hands of others.
    — Maria Bamford, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of fates
Noun
  • The district would install gates on its drives that could be opened or closed as needed during events and school hours.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The local police department is conducting a criminal investigation into the events leading up to the collision and the actions of those involved, Kinnan said Wednesday.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of events
Noun
  • Ohio Republicans redrew Kaptur’s seat this cycle, but Democrats are bullish on her chances.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments reflect a mix of skepticism and concern about the upcoming elections, with some expressing doubt about the Democrats' chances in the Senate and others worried about potential election chaos and disputes.
    — Amber Phillips, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of chances
Noun
  • The department has since lost at least five firefighters during negotiations, including a paramedic and hazardous-materials technician trained to respond to incidents involving dangerous chemicals.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Recovery capabilities need to be tested against the kinds of incidents autonomous systems can create.
    — Rick Vanover, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of incidents
Noun
  • What readers are saying The comments express shock and concern over a recent train collision in Spain, highlighting issues with safety systems and the frequency of such accidents.
    — Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Most damage to the undersea cables that form the Internet’s backbone is the result of accidents involving bottom-trawling fishing nets and ship anchors dragging on the seabed, with storms and undersea landslides also factoring in.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of accidents

Browse Nearby Words

circumstance
circumstances
circumstantial
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Cite this Entry

“Circumstances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstances. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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