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 In the film, Frances is guided by her sense of morals in the face of really impossible circumstances. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 That allows manufacturers to identify measures suited to their circumstances, rather than follow a universal sequence of upgrades. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 The statement did not include a cause of death or details about the circumstances. — Ronnie Glassberg, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 With 12 one-score wins in the 2024 season, the Chiefs established an NFL record with 17 straight victories in such precarious circumstances. — Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026 Kelker-Kelly reportedly had complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive, and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event, police said. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 Under those circumstances, the full loan amount is typically due by the next tax deadline. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 The circumstances surrounding the gunfire remain under investigation, according to the Coast Guard statement. — Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 As a company’s strategy and circumstances change, its team has to evolve. — Michael Londgren, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumstances
  1. destinies
  2. things
  3. luck
  4. fates
  5. events
  6. chances
  7. incidents
  8. accidents
Noun
  • Noir, by contrast, brooks no such substitutions, because its conception of authenticity cannot allow for alternative destinies.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • People looking out for themselves have compromised the fates of those who have less control over their destinies.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of destinies
Noun
  • After things go awry in the Congo, the family in The Poisonwood Bible dissolves readily.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In some ways, things have changed considerably for Reid over the last year after the television adaptation of her 2019 novel, Heated Rivalry, became a cultural phenomena.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of things
Noun
  • It is said that touching the polished engravings of the event placed at the pedestal of the Nepomuk statue will bring luck and ensure a return to Prague.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Playing Stratego well requires randomizing the arrangement of your pieces, so luck always plays a role.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of luck
Noun
  • Through a particular sequence of such branching decisions, Waddington argued, cells specialize into their mature types, or fates, each expressing a particular set of genes.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The Kunstmuseum Basel will receive $120,000 to examine 336 drawings in its collection with provenances previously flagged as problematic, as well as the fates of the drawings’ sellers and the museum’s collection strategies between 1933 and 1945.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of fates
Noun
  • Harris has held campaign events in California, Nevada, and Georgia, starting her tour off in Michigan to stump with the progressive Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat, Abdul el Sayed.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Flashbacks to recent events reveal that the townspeople never let Hal find peace, and even firebombed his home, only for a grown-up Noah — Kerry’s son, and Zoe’s grandson — to save him and regenerate his skin using Zoe’s covert alien tech.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of events
Noun
  • In about nine minutes of time together at 5-on-5, that line held a 12-2 edge in shot attempts over the Ducks, including a 4-0 advantage in shots on goal, 5-2 in scoring chances and 2-0 high-danger chances.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • El Niño also shifts rainfall patterns globally, raising the chances for destructive flooding in some parts of the world.
    — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of chances
Noun
  • The story centers on a transfer student’s enigmatic bond with a teacher, as a string of unexplained, supernatural incidents cracks the school’s polished facade.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The firings, which were first reported by The Wall Street Journal, are the latest sign of turmoil inside leading AI companies over the safety of the technology, highlighted by a series of incidents involving rogue AI agents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of incidents
Noun
  • The public health agency also said no biological safety breaches or laboratory accidents occurred at the facility.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The huge crowds were stressful for police, who ended up working longer shifts than usual to deal with traffic, accidents, shoplifting and other issues.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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