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Showing results for circumstance. Search instead for circumstancing.
Definitions

circumstance

[sur-kuhm-stans, -stuhns] / ˈsɜr kəmˌstæns, -stəns /
NOUN
situation, condition
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accident action case cause coincidence crisis detail event fact factor fate incident matter occurrence status thing time
STRONG
adjunct affair article concern contingency destiny doom element episode exigency feature fortuity go happening happenstance intervention item juncture kismet lot occasion particular phase place point portion proviso respect scene stipulation supervention
WEAK
Moira where it's at
Antonyms
STRONGEST
plan
STRONG
whole

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.

Kenyan President William Ruto said the rail link will "define generations", speaking at a ceremony in grand pomp and circumstance with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni in Kisumu, near the Kenya-Uganda border.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

Even the rare circumstance of a tie was handled expertly by live-action-short award presenter Kumail Nanjiani, never bringing to mind the immortal confusion of “Moonlight” vs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

But he almost sounds like a dove in this circumstance.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

Regardless of circumstance or intent, that word’s impact knocks the wind out of a person.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026

You will not, under any circumstance, show your face.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.