Formal:
* Circumstances: This implies a set of facts or conditions that surround an event or situation.
* Conjunctures: This refers to a combination of circumstances or events that occur at the same time.
* Conditions: This emphasizes the factors that exist at a particular time.
* States of affairs: This is a general term for the way things are.
Informal:
* Things: This is a simple and versatile word.
* Happenings: This emphasizes the events that are happening.
* Events: This focuses on the specific incidents that are occurring.
* Predicaments: This implies difficult or challenging situations.
* Dilemmas: This implies situations where there are difficult choices to make.
Other:
* Scenarios: This emphasizes the possible outcomes of a situation.
* Cases: This implies specific examples of situations.
* Instances: This refers to particular occurrences of a situation.
The best synonym for "situations" will depend on the specific context of your writing.