1
as in particularly
in the specific case of one person or thing as distinguished from others
all employees, but especially the administrative assistants, will need to learn to use the new phone system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in extremely
to a great degree
that university is especially strong in the sciences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in notably
in regard to something mentioned explicitly or in detail
he especially minded the proposed changes to the work schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of especially
That pay gap is especially pronounced for Jones, whose salary dwarfs every other city in the state.
—
Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Instead, officials refocused the strategic narrative on their ambitions to degrade Iran's conventional military – especially ballistic missile – and nuclear programs.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
April showers tend not to require full-length trenches, especially as temperatures start to climb.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
As the Dolphins look to continue to flesh out this roster, keep Hafley’s words in mind, especially as the draft draws closer and closer.
—Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for especially
Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Instead, officials refocused the strategic narrative on their ambitions to degrade Iran's conventional military – especially ballistic missile – and nuclear programs.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
April showers tend not to require full-length trenches, especially as temperatures start to climb.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
As the Dolphins look to continue to flesh out this roster, keep Hafley’s words in mind, especially as the draft draws closer and closer.
—Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for especially
Recent Examples of Synonyms for especially
Adverb
-
And in late February, just as attention began to shift away from Gaza, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran—a potentially epochal war that may end up dividing Jewish Americans no less than the Gaza war did, particularly if the conflict drags on and casualties mount.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
And the Panthers feel safe with the rest of their inside linebacker depth to not have to pay a lot of money to retain a backup, particularly with the way Cherelus played in 2025.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The particles that make up these dark nebulae are of a finite size, and that size is extremely good at absorbing visible light.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
-
David’s view The voters most keen to talk with political reporters are, typically, extremely engaged in politics.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
His younger brother, Avner, maintains a notably more private profile.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Ironically, clicking the mute control that sits atop the Light Mount's volume knob is notably louder than the rest of the buttons on the keyboard.—
Aubrey Jowers,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
For the third game in a row, Towns — a six-time All-Star specifically for his scoring gifts — was invisible on offense in the first half before imposing his will over the second two quarters as the Knicks attempted to punch themselves back into a game.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Botanical Gardens next door includes the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, specifically designed for children.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Bartle may have been right, but for some Chiefs fans and stadium developers with billions of public dollars at stake, that state line probably feels very real.—
Elijah Winkler,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Yet a Miami Herald investigation shows that Florida’s Department of Children and Families too often does just the opposite.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This seafood had been too warm for multiple days.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Had something gone terribly, terribly wrong?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Something is terribly wrong in Chicago.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
In the transfer portal era, making contributions at a championship-caliber program like Ohio State as a true freshman are incredibly rare.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The first thing that struck me was the gold necklace’s incredibly lightweight nature, clocking in at just 25 grams.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Especially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/especially. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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