situation
12 synonyms for situation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The set of circumstances or facts affecting something at a particular time.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
circumstances
state of affairs
conditions
set-up
set up
How to use situation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
difficult situation
current situation
situations vacant
Etymology
From Medieval Latin situatio, "position," from Latin situs, "a site."
Full origin of situation →Frequently asked questions
What does “situation” mean?
The word “situation” means the set of circumstances or facts affecting something at a particular time. In plain terms, the circumstances someone or something finds themselves in, or, more literally, where something is located.
How do you pronounce “situation”?
“Situation” is pronounced siht-yoo-AY-shuhn (/ˌsɪt.juːˈeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “situation” in a sentence?
Here is “situation” used in a sentence: “The government is monitoring the economic situation closely.”
What is another word for “situation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “situation” include set up.
What part of speech is “situation”?
“Situation” is a noun.
Where does the word “situation” come from?
The word “situation” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin situatio, "position," from Latin situs, "a site.".
Is “situation” a common word?
“Situation” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “situation” have?
“Situation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the set of circumstances or facts affecting something at a particular time.
What is the difference between a situation and a circumstance?
A situation is the whole picture, the overall set of conditions affecting something at a given moment. A circumstance is a single fact or detail that helps shape it. Many circumstances together make up a situation, so the situation is the sum and the circumstances are its individual parts.
What is an example of a situation?
Almost any set of conditions can be a situation: a difficult financial situation, a tense political situation, or an emergency situation at work. The word simply frames the circumstances of a moment, whether they are calm or critical, so it fits countless everyday and professional contexts.
Is a situation good or bad?
Neither by itself. Situation is a neutral word that describes circumstances without judging them, and the surrounding words supply the tone. 'A promising situation' is positive, 'a dangerous situation' is negative, and 'the current situation' is simply factual. Only the context tells you whether it is good or bad.
