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as in detachment
a small military unit with a special task or function the officer sent out a detail to patrol the perimeter of the compound

Synonyms & Similar Words

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detail

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun detail contrast with its synonyms?

The words item and particular are common synonyms of detail. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

When could item be used to replace detail?

In some situations, the words item and detail are roughly equivalent. However, item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

When might particular be a better fit than detail?

While in some cases nearly identical to detail, particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

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 detail
Noun
As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025 This subplot reared its head again this week, when the Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur revealed even more details about Robertson’s requests of the Raptors that summer. Sam Amick, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
The look was a contrast to the dark blue, off-the-shoulder dress that Sánchez wore to the event a year prior, which featured lace detailing. Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025 The shoddy work and questionable conclusions of that report were so extensive that an analysis of it required over 450 pages to detail all of its shortcomings. Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
  • The Labubu blind boxes, which hide the exact content of the package until the customer opens it, sometimes revealing an especially rare item in a series, will be made available for purchase through the website's Pop Now feature.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The phrases were used across a range of merchandise like a Tiger Blood energy drink, a biographical comic book and other items, per the outlet.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In the lion’s den, no less, at left leaning venues, hoping facts and common sense would prevail.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • His team accused Whatley of distorting the facts to cover for his support of federal policies that reduced funding for local police.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At first look, naming wars after their location, participants, starting date or duration might appear to be an exercise in objective detachment.
    Esther Brito Ruiz, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Notably, psychological detachment (truly unplugging) and physical activity during time away were the strongest drivers of improvement.
    Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Duncan Wanblad, chief executive of Anglo, will take the top job and Anglo Teck while Teck’s chief executive Jonathan Price, will be his deputy.
    Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • That’s when Billy Napier accepted the Florida job.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Polish air force scrambled its own F-16 fighter jets, and the Royal Netherlands Air Force sent two F-35 fighters that were stationed in Poland.
    George Petras, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Another model was stationed next to the wardrobe, which housed 2D paper doll cutout clothing.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Republican two-term president tapped Attorney General Pam Bondi to take temporary command of DC's police department and named Terry Cole, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency, the interim federal commissioner of the police department.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The declaration also names the FBI, the DOJ, and the Executive Office of the President as defendants.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a bizarre twist, that denial letter listed her husband as the patient but made reference to the care of a newborn, not that of a 52-year-old man having a mental health crisis.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Instead, the only four people listed as specific targets in the search warrant have Hispanic names.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Mop-up and patrol will continue where appropriate to secure and strengthen containment.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Ford dropped it from the Explorer’s retail lineup, but continues to offer it in police vehicles, which benefit from its ability to power AC and other accessories without running the engine when parked, as patrol vehicles often spend lots of time doing.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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