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Definition of circumstantial

circumstantial

/ˌsɜːrkəmˈstænʃəl/
cir · cum · stan · tial
Adverb:circumstantially
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circumstantial Lexical Profile

circumstantial Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Pointing indirectly toward someone's guilt or a particular conclusion by inference from known facts, rather than proving it directly (especially of legal evidence).

Example

"The prosecution's case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence rather than eyewitness testimony."

2

Dependent on, relating to, or determined by particular external conditions or circumstances; incidental rather than essential.

Example

"Their meeting at the airport was purely circumstantial, resulting from a delayed flight."

3

Containing full and thorough details (of a description, report, or narrative).

Example

"The historian provided a circumstantial account of the diplomatic negotiations leading up to the treaty."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for circumstantial

• Nearby Words

circumnavigator
circumspectly
circumstance
circumstantial
circumstantially
circumvent
circus

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English from 'circumstance' + '-ial', ultimately from Latin 'circumstantia' ('a surrounding condition'), from 'circum-' ('around') and 'stare' ('to stand').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Circumstantial. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/circumstantial
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