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

3

: marked by careful attention to detail : abounding in factual details

a circumstantial account of the fight

4

: ceremonial

the circumstantial splendor of the coronation

circumstantiality

ˌsər-kəm-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

circumstantially

ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• blow-by-blow
• detailed
• elaborate
• full
• minute
• particular
• particularized
• thorough

Choose the Right Synonym for circumstantial

circumstantial, minute, particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point.

circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space.

a circumstantial account of our visit

minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details.

a minute examination of a fossil

particular implies a precise attention to every detail.

a particular description of the scene of the crime

detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail.

a detailed analysis of the event

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

The prosecution’s case is circumstantial but seeks to prove that no one else could have made the mother and daughter disappear. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025

This, arguably, was a circumstantial situation: There is no market for Deandre Ayton or Jerami Grant, the Blazers don’t want to deal their young guys, and Robert Williams and Matisse Thybulle need to stay on the court before anyone offers something of value for either. —John Hollinger, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025

During trial, Vo’s lawyer argued the case was circumstantial and that authorities were propping up flimsy evidence to solve the mystery. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025

LaRoche’s new attorney also claimed that the evidence against her client was mainly circumstantial, per the outlet. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see circumstance

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing circumstantial

• circumstantial evidence

Rhymes for circumstantial

• insubstantial
• unsubstantial
• substantial

Kids 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

circumstantially

-ˈstanch-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

circumstantial

adjective

cir·​cum·​stan·​tial ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan-chəl 

: belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances

circumstantially adverb