circumstantial
adjective
cir·cum·stan·tial
ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan(t)-shəl 
1
: belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances
a circumstantial case
circumstantial factors
circumstantial evidence
2
: pertinent but not essential : incidental
Revolutions usually happen for both structural and circumstantial reasons.—
A. M. S. Aly
A. M. S. Aly3
: marked by careful attention to detail : abounding in factual details
a circumstantial account of the fight
4
: ceremonial
the circumstantial splendor of the coronation
Examples of circumstantial in a Sentence
The evidence is purely circumstantial.
The case against him is circumstantial.
a circumstantial account of the meeting
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of that is game circumstantial; the Panthers falling behind by a lot early generally prompts that.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
Thanks to the airtight synchronicity between its literal value as a totem tying the Friedkens to Anna’s death, but as a symbol of the sins and circumstantial mistakes that emanate from a family broken by a cutthroat society.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
However, the counter to Cowherd's argument that Purdy's success has been circumstantial is that perhaps the dip in Purdy's production last year was circumstantial.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
This question separates actionable wisdom from circumstantial advantages.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumstantial
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Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
Thanks to the airtight synchronicity between its literal value as a totem tying the Friedkens to Anna’s death, but as a symbol of the sins and circumstantial mistakes that emanate from a family broken by a cutthroat society.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
However, the counter to Cowherd's argument that Purdy's success has been circumstantial is that perhaps the dip in Purdy's production last year was circumstantial.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
This question separates actionable wisdom from circumstantial advantages.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumstantial
Cite this Entry
“Circumstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumstantial. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circumstantial
adjective
cir·cum·stan·tial
ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan-chəl
1
: consisting of, relating to, or depending on circumstances
circumstantial evidence
2
: containing full details
a circumstantial account of what happened
Legal Definition
circumstantial
adjective
cir·cum·stan·tial
ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan-chəl
: belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances
circumstantially
adverb
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