Situation

/ˌsɪt.juːˈeɪ.ʃən/ · noun

Meaning

The combination of circumstances at a given moment; a state of affairs..

Definitions by Sense

1. The combination of circumstances at a given moment; a state of affairs.
2. The way in which something is positioned vis-à-vis its surroundings.
3. The place in which something is situated; a location.
4. Position or status with regard to conditions and circumstances.
5. (UK) A position of employment; a post.
6. A difficult or unpleasant set of circumstances; a problem.
7. (US, film industry) An individual movie theater.
8. (slang) An outfit, garment, or look.

Example Sentences

The United States is in an awkward situation with debt default looming.

Then we relapsed into a discomfited silence, and wished we were anywhere else. But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud, and with such a hearty enjoyment that instead of getting angry and more mortified we began to laugh ourselves, and instantly felt better.

By 29, my financial situation wasn’t just disorganized, it was untenable. I didn’t have enough money to cover a single unexpected expense, and my credit card balance wasn’t going down; the interest was outpacing me.

The Botanical Gardens are in a delightful situation on the river bank.

[…]he being naturally an underground animal by birth and breeding, the situation of Badger's house exactly suited him and made him feel at home; while the Rat, who slept every night in a bedroom the windows of which opened on a breezy river, naturally felt the atmosphere still and oppressive.

[…] one of the most pleasant situations in America. With the exception of one melancholy season, no town in the union, of its size, has had a greater share of the inestimable blessing of health.

[Hibíscus] speciòsus is the most splendid, and deserves a situation in every garden.

I described the situation as well as I could, and was entering upon an explanation of the various roads, lanes, and fields to be traversed in order to reach it, the goings straight on, and turnings to the right, and the left[…]

Synonyms for situation

Antonyms for situation

Related Words

Word Forms

• situations
• situatia
• scituation

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions