situational

adjective

sit·​u·​a·​tion·​al ˌsi-chə-ˈwā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce situational (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or appropriate to a situation
2
: of or relating to situation ethics
situationally adverb

Examples of situational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unmanned aerial systems are increasingly filling that gap, delivering critical supplies, restoring situational awareness, and providing real-time intelligence in places that are otherwise inaccessible. — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 Mike Vrabel barked out instruction during a situational period working end-of-half plays, including one Hail Mary. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 The model processes information from multiple sources and generates predictions several minutes ahead, creating what Archer describes as an additional layer of situational awareness for human operators. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 That may hint at some situational usage for Fields even if Mahomes is ready to start the season. — Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for situational

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of situational was in 1867

Phrases Containing situational

Rhymes for situational

See All Rhymes for situational

Browse Nearby Words

situation
situational
situational irony
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Cite this Entry

“Situational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/situational. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

situational

adjective
sit·​u·​a·​tion·​al -shnəl, -shən-ᵊl How to pronounce situational (audio)
: of, relating to, or occurring in a particular set of circumstances
situational impotence
situational hypertension
situationally
-ē How to pronounce situational (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on situational

Nglish: Translation of situational for Spanish Speakers

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