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
Relevance
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
The glue can also lead to less invasive surgery, as, under some circumstances, smaller incisions could be required.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
People grow, circumstances shift, and unexpected challenges arise.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The order does not detail the circumstances of the officer’s departure.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
The Titans had basically just two positive plays the entire first half, and the first came under odd circumstances.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Mishkin also wasn’t persuaded there were exigent circumstances to warrant shortening the 15-day window.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The real heart and soul of the picture are their experiences under these incredible circumstances.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
These discussions have also given extensive consideration to whether Israel can be represented under the current circumstances.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
People grow, circumstances shift, and unexpected challenges arise.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The order does not detail the circumstances of the officer’s departure.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
The Titans had basically just two positive plays the entire first half, and the first came under odd circumstances.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Mishkin also wasn’t persuaded there were exigent circumstances to warrant shortening the 15-day window.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The real heart and soul of the picture are their experiences under these incredible circumstances.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
These discussions have also given extensive consideration to whether Israel can be represented under the current circumstances.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstances
Noun
-
Rodnyansky’s narrative is not focused on the events themselves but on the people, human destinies, and art.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The destinies of the three sisters, Josie, Emma, and Ara, explode off the page.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In two of its three games so far, Abington has watched things come down to the final second against a vaunted squad from the Patriot League.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
-
While some in the UK industry may still feel YouTube should be kept at arm’s length, Alison Lomax, YouTube’s popular chief in the UK and Ireland, has been helping smooth things over in recent months with the broadcasters.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The second and third matches are due to be played on Friday and Sunday, but the luck of the Irish may desert them with those grey skies in Dublin.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Leavitt isn't the only Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and MomTok veteran to try her luck on the ballroom this season.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Sure, other fates are possible, like direct collapse to a black hole or explosions through the pair-instability mechanism, but a core-collapse supernova (also known as a type II supernova) represents the fate of the majority of the most massive stars ever to be born.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The surviving girls, now considered victims, receive compensation, although their individual fates remain largely unknown.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Usher, Meagan Good, and Jay-Z joined events that blended music, style, and philanthropy, reminding us just how many lanes the culture continues to dominate.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Movies are still big events, still consumed in long sittings, still treated as cultural monuments.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Each of us takes about twenty thousand breaths every single day—twenty thousand chances for the air around us to either sustain life or to quietly harm it.—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Better chances for more widespread showers and thunderstorms will come on Thursday and Friday.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Both nations' military deployments indicate that the region could remain a potential flashpoint, with further operations or incidents possibly escalating tensions.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Property managers are better equipped to respond to concerns, not just review past incidents.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The atrocities in Ukraine and beyond—in Syria, Sudan, Palestine, and elsewhere—are not accidents.—
Oleksandra Matviichuk,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Tesla is looking into redesigning the way to open its car doors in an emergency following several accidents where passengers were reportedly trapped in burning vehicles because rescuers could not open them.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumstances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumstances. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share