circumstantial evidence

noun

: evidence that tends to prove a fact by proving other events or circumstances which afford a basis for a reasonable inference of the occurrence of the fact at issue

Examples of circumstantial evidence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This bias weakened over time, as the theory came to have more distance from the Trump administration, and more suggestive bits of circumstantial evidence accrued. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025 Sanjay Roy, the police volunteer, was convicted on Saturday by Judge Anirban Das, who said circumstantial evidence had proved the charges against Roy. Reuters, NBC News, 20 Jan. 2025 But he was found guilty on circumstantial evidence, according to the newspaper. Sean Neumann, People.com, 24 May 2025 But lore and circumstantial evidence has always pointed to the 43 S. Fifth St. house as the house. Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for circumstantial evidence

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of circumstantial evidence was in 1736

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Cite this Entry

“Circumstantial evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumstantial%20evidence. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Legal Definition

circumstantial evidence

see evidence

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