How to Use circumstantial evidence in a Sentence

circumstantial evidence

noun
  • But there is a lot of circumstantial evidence that points to the Alters as the thieves.
    — Anne Ryman, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022
  • All the police work to that point was circumstantial evidence.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023
  • The case against him was based mainly on an array of circumstantial evidence.
    — Paul Duggan, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
  • The legal case against a killer nurse is often weak and based on little more than circumstantial evidence.
    — Daniel Engber, Slate Magazine, 24 July 2017
  • That's strong circumstantial evidence that the gap here is one of cultural norms and values, and not facts.
    — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2013
  • But the defense attorney said that was all circumstantial evidence that didn’t prove his client’s guilt.
    — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024
  • So more subtle searches based on circumstantial evidence are coming to the fore.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2021
  • What’s often cited as circumstantial evidence for a lab leak is, in fact, not evidence at all.
    — Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 11 June 2021
  • His attorneys said he was charged based on circumstantial evidence.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Over the years, his lawyers argued that the case against him was built on circumstantial evidence and questionable forensics.
    — Emanuella Grinberg, CNN, 21 Aug. 2019
  • The fact that a person is missing and there is no proof of life is circumstantial evidence of foul play and murder, Stephan said.
    — David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2021
  • But there is tangible and circumstantial evidence that Russia played a role in the launch.
    — Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 14 June 2024
  • The justices did not change the standard of review of circumstantial evidence, which was the larger issue at hand.
    — Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
  • On one side of the argument is a ton of circumstantial evidence and coincidence pointing to a lab leak.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 29 May 2021
  • Given the circumstantial evidence for subglacial lakes and moist crater slopes, the researchers think the best chance for life is deep under the surface.
    — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Iraqi officials say their doubts are based on circumstantial evidence and long experience in the area where the attack took place.
    — Alissa J. Rubin, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2020
  • The prosecutor at the time said the case relied on circumstantial evidence.
    — Alex Mann, baltimoresun.com, 18 Feb. 2022
  • Gyllenhaal’s Rusty, stressed out and overburdened by circumstantial evidence that points at him in neon lights, is much the same.
    — Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 26 July 2024
  • Case studies can provide circumstantial evidence that aerosols are carrying the virus, but researchers want to nail down how and when that happens.
    — Dyani Lewis, Scientific American, 8 July 2020
  • After decades of tagging studies, there’s enough circumstantial evidence to be confident that many top predators do dive deep in search of prey.
    — Stephanie Pain, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2022
  • Peel’s first trial in 1986 hinged on circumstantial evidence and lasted over six months.
    — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE.com, 11 Dec. 2017
  • Raymond’s main task is to show how circumstantial evidence is not enough to convict a person — that personal bias might be getting in the way of justice.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 July 2024
  • Even with the weakness of the government's case, I may still be convicted on circumstantial evidence.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2022
  • That and a cascade of circumstantial evidence led to him being convicted of the crime in 2010.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • Clark was always a suspect in the killing, but investigators only had circumstantial evidence at the time.
    — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The attorney said the state's evidence against Jeff West is based on circumstantial evidence.
    — Carol Robinson, AL.com, 26 Feb. 2018
  • And this becomes another piece of circumstantial evidence that appears to tie Sheila Keen to this shooting.
    — CBS News, 21 Apr. 2018
  • There is circumstantial evidence to suggest that Weber and LaPlaca are friends, at least.
    — Katherine J Igoe, Marie Claire, 11 Feb. 2020
  • All the circumstantial evidence pointed fingers to Melanie McGuire, his wife.
    — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 17 June 2022
  • When we get involved in a case part of our job is to identify the strengths and the weaknesses of the prosecution … this is a case that involved a lot of circumstantial evidence.
    — Marcelena Spencer, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'circumstantial evidence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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