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 This process is intended to give you the opportunity to provide further information so that your circumstances can be reviewed fully and fairly. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026 In a meeting with media executives last month, Pezeshkian said preserving national unity and cohesion is Iran’s top priority under current circumstances. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026 Because of unspecific language specifically in Missouri statutes or subjectivity of officers issuing violations, different circumstances with pets may result in different outcomes. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026 Create Stabilizing Routines One of Shackleton’s strengths was creating a sense of stability, even when the circumstances were anything but. — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 While Prince George is following his father by going to Eton College, Jobson told the Daily Mail that the circumstances are wildly different. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 Police said that suspect information, a motive and the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 14 July 2026 The Traffic Investigation Unit is looking into the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026 And of how even the most unified filmography can be the result of completely haphazard circumstances. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 14 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstances
  1. destinies
  2. things
  3. luck
  4. fates
  5. events
  6. chances
  7. incidents
  8. accidents
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Mirren wants to store her fest statue, which keeps mysteriously appearing next to an Oscar statuette, in its box in a different take on Karlovy Vary winners’ and trophies’ destinies.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026
  • Drawn into a love story with a familiar collaborator as her path intersects with women of different ages and cultural backgrounds, all fighting to take control of their own destinies, Maxine finds herself on a journey of self-discovery that forces her to confront the choices shaping her life.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 June 2026
Definition of destinies
Noun
  • In an alternate universe, one without the stakes and the frenzy bubbling in the distance, Skubal might have gone about things differently.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • And to understand it, and to comprehend that kind of thing, is a good way to keep your mind open to learning new things and working new things into your sphere.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of things
Noun
  • Prosecutors have also had luck securing convictions by working with the Department of Justice to file federal charges for distributing fentanyl that later results in death.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
  • Aslanoglou, who was born and trained in Greece, is hoping for better luck.
    — Connie Ogle July 24, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of luck
Noun
  • Thus, Californians and Washingtonians may not just be deciding their own tax fates, and these outcomes could be casting an early verdict that has nationwide tax implications.
    — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • This version centers a guilt-racked and traumatized Odysseus—and leaves gods and fates, mystery and wonder largely out of the picture.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of fates
Noun
  • Some people go through traumatic events and tend to either emulate the behavior later in life or avoid it and go in the opposite direction.
    — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 27 July 2026
  • The Seattle Center describes itself as a civic, arts and family grounds space that attracts over 12 million visitors each year for events across its 74-acre campus, which includes the Space Needle and the city’s largest arena.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of events
Noun
  • The Wave can move the ball better than many of their opponents and are no worse than average at creating goal-scoring chances.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
  • With the trade deadline one week away, multiple major-league executives estimate the chances of Goodman getting traded at about 30 percent.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of chances
Noun
  • An Anti-Defamation League audit of antisemitic incidents found that attacks increased by 30% between 2024 and 2025, a rise that Mamdani recognized while touting investments in hate crime combatants.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 July 2026
  • That trust begins with one of the most devastating inciting incidents in recent genre memory.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of incidents
Noun
  • The service offers unlimited repairs for accidents like drops and spills, for instance.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Mitchell Michalak, an epidemiologist with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, said ER visits here for injuries related to e-bike and e-scooter accidents jumped 273% from 2022 to 2025.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 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 Jul. 2026.

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