From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcircumstantialcir‧cum‧stan‧tial /ˌsɜːkəmˈstænʃəl◂ $ ˌsɜːr-/ adjective 1 SC law based on something that appears to be true but is not provencircumstantial evidence/case The case against McCarthy is based largely on circumstantial evidence.2 formalDETAIL including all the details The book includes a long and circumstantial account of Empson’s conversation with the Queen. —circumstantially adverb
Examples from the Corpus
circumstantial• Evidence of a link between the arrival of television and the erosion of social connections is not merely circumstantial.• Such a contention is, of course, unprovable, since all the evidence is circumstantial and associative.• The state will have to build its case with circumstantial evidence.• They concede, however, that their case against Sharif rests on circumstantial evidence.• The lack of evidence and the circumstantial nature of the testimony caused a public outcry.• A shadow of a smile creased her mouth; but it was circumstantial, not genuine.• Kids, who are circumstantial outsiders, tend to identify with such creatures and envision them as their vengeful protectors.• The case against Coleman was largely circumstantial, supported by some inconclusive forensic evidence.circumstantial evidence/case• The case against McCarthy is based largely on circumstantial evidence.• And it is usually critical in a circumstantial case.• In 1994, Raddad was jailed for 18 years for Marchal's murder on the basis of circumstantial evidence.• They concede, however, that their case against Sharif rests on circumstantial evidence.• There was circumstantial evidence a plenty to support the Shijingshan theory.• They also provide circumstantial evidence for a close relationship between mind and brain.• There is strong circumstantial evidence for this.• The aetiology remains unknown, but much circumstantial evidence suggests that immunological mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis.• Despite the absence of precise measures, there are a few types of circumstantial evidence that suggest legislative weakness. 