Circumstantial evidence is evidence that makes it seem likely that something happened, but does not prove it.
[formal]
There is no conclusive proof, but there is a lot of circumstantial evidence.
2. adjective
Something that is circumstantial is related to a particular circumstance.
[formal]
The reasons for the project collapsing were circumstantial.
Synonyms: detailed, particular, specific More Synonyms of circumstantial
More Synonyms of circumstantial
circumstantial in British English
(ˌsɜːkəmˈstænʃəl)
adjective
1.
of or dependent on circumstances
2.
fully detailed
3.
incidental
Derived forms
circumstantiality (ˌcircumˈstantiˈality)
noun
circumstantially (ˌcircumˈstantially)
adverb
circumstantial in American English
(ˌsɜrkəmˈstænʃəl)
adjective
1.
having to do with, or depending on, circumstances
2.
not of primary importance; incidental
3.
full or complete in detail
4.
full of pomp or display; ceremonial
Derived forms
circumstantially (ˌcircumˈstantially)
adverb
Examples of 'circumstantial' in a sentence
circumstantial
There is no shortage of circumstantial evidence to suggest the latter.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The combination of circumstantial and scientific evidence points surely and conclusively to him.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It was a complex case and the evidence was circumstantial.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
All the circumstantial evidence points to a bomb.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
How much of this was circumstantial and how much of it was my brain chemistry is hard to say.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Yet the circumstantial evidence is compelling.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The evidence is circumstantial so far.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There is no absolute proof of it, only strong circumstantial evidence and much rumour.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Because direct evidence of a discriminatory motive is difficult to produce, cases are generally built around circumstantial evidence.
Tompkins, Jonathan Human Resource Management in Government (1995)
Faced with the circumstantial case, jurors took eight hours of deliberations spread over three days to return a verdict.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The circumstantial case is strong.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Without that, as they admitted, the evidence was circumstantial.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There was considerable circumstantial evidence, but no direct evidence, to connect him to the murder scene.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That is four England players in a year with similar injuries, all circumstantial evidence that the human spine can only take so much rugby.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Since then more and more circumstantial evidence, much of it detailed and plausible, has been discovered as more alleged victims have come forward.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The case against the claimant was circumstantial, but on the facts, the journalists were justified in concluding that it was a strong circumstantial case.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of evidence) strongly suggesting something but not proving it
He was convicted on purely circumstantial evidence.
Synonyms
indirect
They are feeling the indirect effects of the recession elsewhere.
contingent
incidental
At the bottom of the bill were various incidental expenses.
inferential
presumptive
conjectural
founded on circumstances
2 (adjective)
Definition
fully detailed
The reasons for the project collapsing were circumstantial.
Synonyms
detailed
a detailed account of the discussions
particular
a very particular account of the history of sociology
specific
the specific needs of the individual
Additional synonyms
in the sense of incidental
Definition
happening in connection with or resulting from something more important
At the bottom of the bill were various incidental expenses.
Synonyms
accompanying,
related,
attendant,
contingent,
contributory,
concomitant
in the sense of particular
Definition
providing specific details or circumstances
a very particular account of the history of sociology