The phrase "state of things" refers to the current situation or condition of a particular matter. It can be used to describe a variety of contexts, whether it's politics, economics, or social issues. There are many synonyms that can be used in place of "state of things", including "state of affairs", "condition", "situation", "circumstances", "status quo", and "position". Each of these synonyms can provide a different emphasis or tone, depending on the context of the sentence. Whether one is writing an academic essay or casual conversation, the use of synonyms can help to add variety and nuance to one's language.