1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in familiar
closely acquainted
he told his especial friends about the job offer but kept everyone else in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort
with a very ordinary lawn, we don't have any especial need for a gardener
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of especial
Further, studies have shown that people with more abdominal fat have smaller brain volumes especial in areas related to memory and decision making.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The plan is to install some 17 miles of wildlife fencing to connect habitats and lower vehicle crashes, especial with deer and elk (which can weigh over 1,000 pounds and cause a lot of damage to passenger vehicles).
—Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Both took especial glee in going after Ramaswamy, a Trump for the millennial set so automatic in his Trumpier-than-thou responses to any question that Christie lampooned him as a sort of ChatGPT version of a Republican candidate.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023
The city has an especial affinity for literature.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for especial
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The plan is to install some 17 miles of wildlife fencing to connect habitats and lower vehicle crashes, especial with deer and elk (which can weigh over 1,000 pounds and cause a lot of damage to passenger vehicles).
—Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Both took especial glee in going after Ramaswamy, a Trump for the millennial set so automatic in his Trumpier-than-thou responses to any question that Christie lampooned him as a sort of ChatGPT version of a Republican candidate.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023
The city has an especial affinity for literature.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
Adjective
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Jacqueline Burnett and David Schultz’s extraordinary careers at Hubbard Street date back to 2009.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Astronomers made the rare and extraordinary discovery of an interstellar object in our own solar system on July 1, 2025, sparking a scramble to study the mysterious visitor.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In this way, its role as a familiar calendar entity argues profoundly for itself, unsinkable and ever-long.—
Jordan Michelman,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
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Now, the Dragons (1-0) will face a familiar foe in Hebron.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The study, published August 4, 2025, in Nature Communications, could reshape how protective materials are designed, opening doors to lighter, more efficient, and application-specific shock-absorbing solutions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
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And bets of $10 or more on higher-risk parlays — gambling that two or more specific things will happen — also will be free of the charge.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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What’s unusual, in this case, is that the accounts start at birth, and with a $1,000 balance.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
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Another unusual item on display is the up-and-down button from the elevator to the observation tower.—
Myrna Petlicki,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Week 1 matchups don't get a lot more intimate than Saturday's season-opening showdown between Idaho and Washington State.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Aug. 2025
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Spokesman Andy Stone said failures in enforcement allowed intimate images of celebrities to appear.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Adding just a few scalloped items can transform an everyday setting into something special and inviting.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This is a unique portrait of families and their foibles, both amusing and annoying, superbly acted by an exceptional cast fully inhabiting their characters.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
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Likewise, historical earnings per share growth has generally been impressive and exceptional, as seen in cases like NVIDIA.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Musk and Gebbia have maintained a close professional relationship; Gebbia sits on Tesla’s board and was introduced to DOGE earlier this year through Musk.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
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Recent polling has shown Mamdani as the clear front-runner in the field, but the race gets closer when in a three-way contest with Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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