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View synonyms for circumstance

circumstance

[ sur-kuhm-stansor, especially British, -stuhns ]

noun

  1. a condition, detail, part, or attribute, with respect to time, place, manner, agent, etc., that accompanies, determines, or modifies a fact or event; a modifying or influencing factor:

    Do not judge his behavior without considering every circumstance.

  2. Usually circumstances. the existing conditions or state of affairs surrounding and affecting an agent:

    Circumstances permitting, we sail on Monday.

  3. an unessential or secondary accompaniment of any fact or event; minor detail:

    The author dwells on circumstances rather than essentials.

  4. circumstances, the condition or state of a person with respect to income and material welfare:

    a family in reduced circumstances.

  5. an incident or occurrence:

    His arrival was a fortunate circumstance.

  6. detailed or circuitous narration; specification of particulars:

    The speaker expatiated with great circumstance upon his theme.

  7. Archaic. ceremonious accompaniment or display:

    pomp and circumstance.

    Synonyms: things, situation, conditions



verb (used with object)

, cir·cum·stanced, cir·cum·stanc·ing.
  1. to place in particular circumstances or relations:

    The company was favorably circumstanced by the rise in tariffs.

  2. Obsolete.
    1. to furnish with details.
    2. to control or guide by circumstances.

circumstance

/ ˈsɜːkəmstəns /

noun

  1. usually plural a condition of time, place, etc, that accompanies or influences an event or condition
  2. an incident or occurrence, esp a chance one
  3. accessory information or detail
  4. formal display or ceremony (archaic except in the phrase pomp and circumstance )
  5. under no circumstances
    under no circumstancesin no circumstances in no case; never
  6. under the circumstances
    under the circumstances because of conditions; this being the case
  7. in bad circumstances
    in bad circumstances (of a person) in a bad financial situation
  8. in good circumstances
    in good circumstances (of a person) in a good financial situation


verb

  1. to place in a particular condition or situation
  2. obsolete.
    to give in detail

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Word History and Origins

Origin of circumstance1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin circumstantia ( circumstant-, stem of circumstāns, present participle of circumstāre “to stand round”), equivalent to circum- circum- + stā- stand + -nt present participle suffix + -ia noun suffix; -ance

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Word History and Origins

Origin of circumstance1

C13: from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstāre to stand around, from circum- + stāre to stand

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. under no circumstances, regardless of events or conditions; never:

    Under no circumstances should you see them again.

  2. under the circumstances, because of the conditions; as the case stands: Also in the circumstances.

    Under the circumstances, there is little hope for an early settlement.

More idioms and phrases containing circumstance

see extenuating circumstances ; under the circumstances .

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Example Sentences

We don’t know if this research on the 1960s uprisings can be perfectly generalized to protests today, when the circumstances, political climate, and population are different.

From Vox

Emergency use authorization gives physicians permission to use an experimental therapy in certain circumstances.

This time, China and India are expected to see dramatic contractions in their economies, placing a young consumerist generation in the circumstances their ancestors once faced and setting the stage for a potential revival of the savings culture.

From Ozy

In most circumstances, these two would be shoo-ins for their national teams.

From Ozy

They bring valuable socialization and fitness opportunities to kids whose mental and physical health might have suffered otherwise, not to mention a safe space for children living in dangerous circumstances.

From Ozy

Certainly my instinct is to identify with the police, no matter the circumstance.

The union does not under any circumstance condone violence of any kind, including against police officers.

If a product is beautiful, why do you need all that pomp and circumstance?

Instead, there was a high school band striking up the Elgar march “Pomp and Circumstance.”

But Paul Newman—who now, finally, is none of these people—is clearly at home with his current circumstance: as no one but himself.

Which latter circumstance he begged Mr. Perker to note, with a glowing countenance and many marks of indignation.

A similar circumstance has occurred on the seashore at Hoy Lake, Cheshire, where several "fairy pipes" have been found.

This circumstance had made her feel a deeper interest in Gilbert, and had quickened her friendship into love.

Her money-bags had been filled in Manchester, and from time to time in her history you are reminded of this circumstance.

If you wish, I will send a copy of the certificate of the duty done by this engine, which states very minutely every circumstance.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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