circumstances

NOUN

state of affairs in one's life

Synonyms

STRONG

assets capital chances class command degree dowry footing income lifestyle lot means outlook position precedence prestige property prospects prosperity rank rating resources situation sphere standing state station status substance times

WEAK

financial status net worth way of life worldly goods

Antonyms

STRONG

debt poorness poverty

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick's control have dictated that, sadly, it's made it impossible for us to continue our representation of Nick," he said.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Circumstances can prevent an official from sending condolences, including death or a fall into political disgrace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

Circumstances can conspire against us, but there should be room for improvement.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 28, 2025

The Office for Missing Persons in Special Circumstances amounts to just three police officers, based at the end of an Interior Ministry corridor in Kyiv.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2025

The trip up the rapids had been the fastest she had ever flown, even quicker than the Special Circumstances hovercar dodging through city traffic.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Vocabulary lists containing circumstances

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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The Outsiders

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Richard Nixon's "Checkers" Speech (1952)

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