1
as in extraordinary
being out of the ordinary
a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
This oath certainly applies, in an especial manner, to their conduct in their official character.
—
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
Not every governor hands out rosary beads, especial rosary beads blessed by the late Pope Francis.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
To one pursuing the even tenor of his usual routine, the chewing of coca gives no especial sensation, in fact the only result seems to be a negative one, an absence of the customary desire for food and sleep.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for especial
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
Not every governor hands out rosary beads, especial rosary beads blessed by the late Pope Francis.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
To one pursuing the even tenor of his usual routine, the chewing of coca gives no especial sensation, in fact the only result seems to be a negative one, an absence of the customary desire for food and sleep.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for especial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especial
Adjective
-
Rice and Elliot Anderson have impressive engines but will carry an extraordinary burden throughout the tournament and need to stay on top of their game and at full intensity throughout.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Artificial intelligence has changed a whole lot in the past few years because people have started really becoming aware of the extraordinary progress and the extraordinary risks that go with it.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Construction outside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center has become a familiar sight in downtown Dallas since July 2025.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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The park has seven lands − all tied to franchises kids are already familiar with.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Different genes for different cytokines, growth factors or other proteins could be swapped in to target specific diseases of the ocular surface, potentially extending the approach beyond corneal wounds to chronic inflammatory conditions.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
-
Regrets are common enough after lives are lost — when the cost of conflict is staring you right in the face, dead-eyed and countless — and yet this specific contrition persists long before the ships crash, the arrows fly, and the dragons roar.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
French authorities said unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice last month.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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The bar can do classic and pretty, strong and aromatic, familiar and unusual in the same round.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Recently premiered at Tribeca and Sheffield DocFest, Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig's second feature balances intimate human portraiture against spectacular vistas of an unknown-to-most landscape.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
18 June 2026
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Change is uncomfortable, yes, especially in a medium as intimate as this one, but change is also something required in any kind of expansion.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
The talks will include US Vice President JD Vance, Jared Kushner and the US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
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No one enters without a hotel reservation or special pass.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
Each is 72+ pages long and features an exceptional design printed on premium paper.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 June 2026
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So to commemorate the occasion, the distillery team decided to release a pair of truly rare and exceptional age statement expressions.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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There wasn’t much excitement in the building, despite the fact that the game was close until the end.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
He's remained close with the Solari family and has taken Teo Solari under his wing.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especial. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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