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
That can leave investigators reliant on witness reports and circumstantial evidence.
—
Evan Bush, NBC News, 5 Oct. 2024
Critics of the reform effort have said the department is bringing cases against officers based on circumstantial evidence, and civilian panels are less likely than officers to fear running afoul of top brass.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
Scientists used dental analysis and circumstantial evidence recovered from the scene to confirm the identity.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2024
Supporters of this theory point to the seemingly overwhelming circumstantial evidence that connects the outbreak to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which also houses China’s only biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) lab, the highest level of biosafety precautions.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2020
See all Example Sentences for circumstantial evidence 
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Evan Bush, NBC News, 5 Oct. 2024
Critics of the reform effort have said the department is bringing cases against officers based on circumstantial evidence, and civilian panels are less likely than officers to fear running afoul of top brass.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
Scientists used dental analysis and circumstantial evidence recovered from the scene to confirm the identity.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2024
Supporters of this theory point to the seemingly overwhelming circumstantial evidence that connects the outbreak to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which also houses China’s only biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) lab, the highest level of biosafety precautions.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2020
See all Example Sentences for circumstantial evidence
Dictionary Entries Near circumstantial evidence
Cite this Entry
“Circumstantial evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumstantial%20evidence. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
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