as in detailed
including many small descriptive features
the circumstantial account of his surgery told us more than we really wanted to know about the stomach
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Recent Examples of circumstantial
Unlike direct evidence, such as eyewitnesses or recordings of a crime, circumstantial cases require jurors to determine a defendant’s guilt by weaving together indirect evidence.
—
Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 Mar. 2026
During closing arguments last week, prosecutors acknowledged the evidence presented in the case was circumstantial.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
My evidence was circumstantial at best—very dark hair, a certain visual intensity, and, admittedly, intuition doing most of the heavy lifting.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
Just happened to be circumstantial.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circumstantial
Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 Mar. 2026
During closing arguments last week, prosecutors acknowledged the evidence presented in the case was circumstantial.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
My evidence was circumstantial at best—very dark hair, a certain visual intensity, and, admittedly, intuition doing most of the heavy lifting.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
Just happened to be circumstantial.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circumstantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstantial
Adjective
-
But the summary lacks any kind of detailed explanation of which tests were run and under what conditions.—
Cyrus Farivar,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
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The California Department of Insurance (CDI) collects detailed data on how insurers handle claims through Market Conduct Annual Statements, but insurance companies have lobbied to stop company-specific data from being released.—
Patrick Wolff,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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The bureau recommends logistics companies take thorough security measures like independently verifying shipment requests and pickups using secondary methods prior to releasing any loads, as well as implementing multi-channel verification for identities.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
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Detectives with the police department investigated the fraud through a thorough review of the chamber’s financial records.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Church did not, however, neglect the National Academy, and in 1849—in the midst of bloody riots pitting nativists against immigrants and New York’s working class against the wealthy—he was promoted to full academician status.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Inter Miami was in full control at the start of the match, scoring the first three goals to pull ahead 3-0 in the first half.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstantial. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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