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specific

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective specific differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of specific are especial, individual, particular, and special. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to specific?

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

a matter of especial importance

When can individual be used instead of specific?

While the synonyms individual and specific are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

When could particular be used to replace specific?

The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is it sensible to use special instead of specific?

In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

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 specific
Adjective
Neither the accrediting agency nor the university specified which specific financial issues led to the probation. Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025 Most items follow Amazon’s standard return policy, but always check the product page for specific return windows and conditions. Chris Sims, IndyStar, 8 July 2025
Noun
Where the stage would be, the red carpet and other specifics have yet to be determined, Calvert said. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025 Team building Throughout the process of scoping out Blue Ghost's mission, deliberations were ongoing and focused on power needs, how long experiments would run, data requirements, baseline minimums and maximums, and other specifics. Leonard David, Space.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for specific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specific
Adjective
  • Seventh seed Andreeva had special guests in the audience – none other than tennis legend and eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka.
    Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • And pay special attention to those easy-to-wear Madewell barrel jeans, which are truly beloved among Glamour editors.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Be The Boss: Give Your AI A Role And Super-Clear Instructions The most effective AI startups treat their LLMs like new, highly capable team members needing explicit direction.
    Pradeep Kumar Muthukamatchi, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • But no doubt users will poke and prod for extra-abusive responses from the aggressive bot while seeing how explicit Ani becomes with the right seductive prompts.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Kamut 10 grams per cup cooked Like farro, kamut is a type of wheat; in fact, the term kamut is the ancient Egyptian word for it.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • In fact, as more of us spend more and more time looking at screens rather than at each other, loneliness is one of the greatest and most underestimated health challenges of our time.
    Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • There are nearly 50 species of pine trees native to North America with diverse characteristics and growing preferences.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
  • That’s why researchers have spent decades trying to use genetics and behavioral characteristics to divide the spectrum into meaningful subtypes.
    Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Here’s how the agency and the administration could improve generic drug safety and reduce future shortages: Openly acknowledge the variable quality of our generic drugs.
    Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • If your dry mouth is chronic and/or caused by a Sjogren’s or a side effect of radiation, your doctor may write you a prescription for a drug that increases natural saliva production like pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac).
    Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The switch-over will make the robots lighter and more damage-resistant, with more precise control over their movements.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Along with other adjustments made with tools like Photoshop, the end result is a shockingly precise view of the galaxy—the yellow mist around the spiral is actually tens of thousands of stars.
    Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The video is generally crisp, though the limited frame rate (15 fps) is a definite weakness with moving subjects.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
  • The one that doesn’t have a definite endpoint and could yield some interesting negotiations is Wyatt Kaiser’s deal.
    Scott Powers, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The hotel’s resident nutritionist, Charlotte LaGuardia Abbate (MS, CNS, CDN) takes you through the earliest form of food preservation, diving into the details of fermenting your own food and learning about the changes that occur during this natural process.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 July 2025
  • Five years of inspection reports released to The Associated Press do not offer any details of those plans at Mystic, raising new questions about the camp’s preparedness ahead of the torrential July 4 rainfall in flood-prone Texas Hill Country.
    Jim Mustian, Fortune, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specific. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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