Phrase guide

circumstantial evidence

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: direct evidence

2

noun

Meaning 2

evidence providing only a basis for inference about the fact in dispute

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: indirect evidence

Antonyms: direct evidence

Broader terms: evidence

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 旁證 /旁证 (pángzhèng) — evidence that relies on an inference
  • Chinese Mandarin: 間接證據 /间接证据 (jiànjiē zhèngjù) — evidence that relies on an inference
  • Finnish: aihetodiste — evidence that relies on an inference
  • French: preuves indirectes — evidence that relies on an inference
  • Polish: dowody pośrednie — evidence that relies on an inference
  • Polish: dowody poszlakowe — evidence that relies on an inference