51Թ

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View synonyms for

circumstance

[sur-kuhm-stans, -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: , ,


verb (used with object)

circumstanced, circumstancing 
  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

/ ˈɜːəəԲ /

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. in no case; never

  6. because of conditions; this being the case

  7. (of a person) in a bad financial situation

  8. (of a person) in a good financial situation

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to place in a particular condition or situation

  2. obsoleteto give in detail

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of circumstance1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin circumstantia ( circumstant-, stem of ܳԲ, present participle of ܳ “to stand round”), equivalent to circum- circum- + - stand + -nt present participle suffix + -ia noun suffix; -ance
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of circumstance1

C13: from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from ܳ to stand around, from circum- + to stand
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. 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.

  2. under no circumstances, regardless of events or conditions; never.

    Under no circumstances should you see them again.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

While all pregnant women benefited from this law, it now appears that only those with sufficient health care and life circumstances will be able to survive potential emergencies.

From

“They were trying to do what they could under the circumstances to prevent him from getting closer.”

From

Israel’s negotiating position has long been entirely maximalist: Every nuclear complex on Iranian soil must be destroyed, and under no circumstances could Iran be left with even a rudimentary uranium enrichment capability.

From

“Under normal circumstances in most democratic countries, when police perceive protests to be potentially more violent, more of a threat, they will escalate as well, and there’s a dance between policing and protest,” Morrill said.

From

“The circumstances set forth above are as extraordinary as they are terrifying,” Brindley wrote.

From

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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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