circumstantial evidence

noun

: evidence that tends to prove a fact by proving other events or circumstances which afford a basis for a reasonable inference of the occurrence of the fact at issue

Examples of circumstantial evidence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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The working theory is that lactating cows with infected udders are spreading the virus to other dairy cows during the milking process, but that’s based on circumstantial evidence such as the presence of H5N1 in environmental samples from milk parlors. —

Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 7 May 2024 Scientists used multiple forms of DNA testing, as well as anthropological and circumstantial evidence, to study the remains. —

Kerry Breen, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2024 Strong circumstantial evidence points to one or more government agencies in Ethiopia as the responsible party. —

Ron Deibert, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2017 There's other circumstantial evidence, too, supporting the theory. —

The Week Uk, theweek, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for circumstantial evidence

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of circumstantial evidence was in 1736

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Dictionary Entries Near circumstantial evidence

circumstantial

circumstantial evidence

circumstantialness

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Circumstantial evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumstantial%20evidence. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

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