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.
This is an easy entry point to discuss decision-making and risk calculus and how to properly marry playmaking artistry with situational awareness, all big-picture topics that will help shape the Bears’ season. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Caleb Douglas dropped a slant from Malik Willis in a situational period that would have been difficult for the offense to overcome. — Omar Kelly august 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 That, in turn, could mean situational minutes, if even that, for Simone Fontecchio, Myron Gardner and second-round pick Ryan Conwell. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 Pro Football Focus ranked him fourth in a grading system that factors in hang time, directional placement and situational execution. — Los Angeles Times, 21 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Situational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/situational. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All