Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective circumstantial differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of circumstantial are detailed, minute, and particular. While all these words mean "dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point," circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space.

a circumstantial account of our visit

When could detailed be used to replace circumstantial?

The meanings of detailed and circumstantial largely overlap; however, detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail.

a detailed analysis of the event

When is minute a more appropriate choice than circumstantial?

In some situations, the words minute and circumstantial are roughly equivalent. However, minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details.

a minute examination of a fossil

When can particular be used instead of circumstantial?

The synonyms particular and circumstantial are sometimes interchangeable, but particular implies a precise attention to every detail.

a particular description of the scene of the crime

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 circumstantial Ana’s body was never found, which made the international murder case a challenge for FBI agents and prosecutors who had built a largely circumstantial body of evidence against Knezevich. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2025 Lower-maintenance color treatments such as a face-framing highlight or partial highlight are on the lower end of pricing, says Casanova, but pricing can still be circumstantial. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2025 His team set out to prove a circumstantial case that the killings were united by a common scheme and plan. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 Those with homicidal tendencies also possess a remarkable inclination to confess all when confronted with evidence so circumstantial it would be laughed out of court. Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for circumstantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstantial
Adjective
  • Engineers also use building information modeling and point cloud scanning to create highly detailed 3D blueprints.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
  • With more powerful telescopes and new printing technologies, astronomers began applying the cartographic tools of geographers to create the first detailed maps of the planet’s surface, filling it in with continents and seas, and in some cases features that could have been produced by life.
    Matthew Shindell, Space.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • That improvement, and the thorough checks, persuaded ATLAS to use NSBI more broadly going forward.
    Matt von Hippel, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
  • When developing a data infrastructure for healthcare, your first task is thorough planning and design.
    Salman Shahid, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • For full ticketing details, visit frontiertouring.com/kelseaballerini.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 1 July 2025
  • Read your full Aries tarot horoscope for July 2025 for more.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Circumstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstantial. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on circumstantial

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