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Definition of individualnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective individual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of individual are especial, particular, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to individual?

The words especial and individual can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When would particular be a good substitute for individual?

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is special a more appropriate choice than individual?

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When could specific be used to replace individual?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of individual
Noun
Content Partners has struck a new deal with Carlyle Global Credit to facilitate fresh investment capital for the company that has been a pioneer in buying out ownership stakes and profit participation rights in movies and TV shows from individuals and production companies. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 June 2026 She was acquitted of concealing an individual to prevent arrest, a misdemeanor. ABC News, 16 June 2026
Adjective
In an October 2025 YouTube video, Haaland and Johansen shared how their individual soccer careers help bond them. Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 No back orders, unless specified by the individual vendor. ABC News, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for individual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for individual
Noun
  • As officers moved inside, the suspect ran out the back of the building, where other officers stationed along a perimeter took the person into custody, police said.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • Sees another email that says that the person who's going to shut it down is having extramarital affair.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • One of the entities that helped turn an idea into those accounts was a partnership called the Emergency Savings Initiative (ESI), between asset manager BlackRock and Commonwealth, a national nonprofit focused on financial security.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Generally, dark energy and dark matter are regarded as separate entities, their elusiveness their primary link.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Which is my personal favorite color.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • Yet modern soccer stars are also their own personal brands.
    Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • The criminal case comes as the victims’ families pursue a separate lawsuit filed in December and amended in April, alleging the crash and its aftermath were marked by a series of preventable failures.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • As is customary when deputies shoot a suspect, the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs Bureau have launched separate investigations.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • After more talk of intimate moments that occurred during the shoot, and a few anecdotes about nipples, Shaver then redirected the conversation, lighting things up in her characteristic way.
    Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 16 June 2026
  • If plutonium production were taking place inside a fusion reactor, the nuclear reactions involved would generate a characteristic antineutrino signal.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Suarez, the Braves’ setup man, and arguably the team’s top offseason acquisition, was an All-Star closer for the Padres the past two seasons.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 23 June 2026
  • Nationally, women receive an average of $1,760 monthly in Social Security, $438 less than the $2,198 men receive on average.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Officers believe the suspect started throwing objects out of the passenger-side window during the pursuit.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 19 June 2026
  • Avoid tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • That subjective experience holds up even where the lab data is mixed.
    Allison Palmer Updated June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
  • So, without further ado, our totally subjective ranking of Spielberg's films from worst to best.
    Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/individual. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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