circumstantial.

1. Supporting an inference through associated facts rather than direct observation.

2. Giving specific details of the surrounding circumstances.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• circumstantial evidence
• circumstantial case

On the page

The case depended on circumstantial evidence.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic / formal. Forms: Normally non-gradable; no ordinary comparative or superlative. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: analysis, qualification. Commonness: moderately common.