1
as in unique
being the one or ones of a class with no other members
the President claimed that international terrorism was a special threat that required a special way of dealing with it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loved
granted special treatment or attention
one student who was treated as special by the teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort
you'll need special permission from the fire department to do that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 special
Elsewhere, Broadway tours evaporated as leadership increasingly shifted focus toward campus rentals and a handful of special events, including a Mark Twain Prize ceremony honoring Bill Maher.
—
Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
For now, however, his focus is on preparing himself and his teammates for the country’s first FIFA World Cup match since Haiti played in 1974, and Miami carries a special significance along that goal.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
In addition, 20 honorable mentions will be selected, alongside a special Impact Award to the project that demonstrates the most meaningful impact on communities.
—Vogue, 6 June 2026
Called hydrogenesis, the products from the first step are passed over special catalysts at 320°F (160°C) to make useful molecules like cycloalkanes, dense hydrocarbons, jet-fuel-range molecules.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for special
Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
For now, however, his focus is on preparing himself and his teammates for the country’s first FIFA World Cup match since Haiti played in 1974, and Miami carries a special significance along that goal.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
In addition, 20 honorable mentions will be selected, alongside a special Impact Award to the project that demonstrates the most meaningful impact on communities.
—Vogue, 6 June 2026
Called hydrogenesis, the products from the first step are passed over special catalysts at 320°F (160°C) to make useful molecules like cycloalkanes, dense hydrocarbons, jet-fuel-range molecules.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for special
Recent Examples of Synonyms for special
Adjective
-
While every ceremonial facilitator has their own unique way of preparing ayahuasca, most often two plants are brewed together (caapi vine and chacruna leaves) to create the highly powerful, transportive substance that can be used to treat physical and mental ailments.—
Michaela Trimble,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Like, what a unique experience.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Are there healthy ways to prepare ourselves and our loved ones for the inevitable?—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
Instead, Pagano and Dozier suggest having gentle, boundary-setting conversations that might encourage a loved one to address their hoarding habits.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Accessibility The hotel is fully ADA compliant, with specific guest rooms that feature lowered signage and door viewers, closed-caption televisions, braille room numbers, and emergency assistance systems.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Instead of checking specific boxes and satisfying targets, focus on quality stories and memorable characters.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Michelle Khare has built her singular career around making the impossible possible.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 June 2026
-
Fluent in Persian, French, English, Swedish, German, and Italian, Satrapi was a singular figure in the culture of two continents — an Iranian exile and a French artist, a cartoonist who made history at the Oscars, and a political activist who turned grief and fury and memory into enduring art.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Reams of precious antiques, carpets, and paintings are the result of years spent trawling through markets, auction houses, and private homes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Many companies sell gold coins, including APMEX and JM Bullion, which offer a wide variety of precious metals and affordable — and sometimes free — shipping.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Ginsberg first read the titular entry in Howl and Other Poems at San Francisco’s Six Gallery in 1955, and the work anthologized a year later by fellow poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti as the fourth entry in the City Lights Bookstore imprint with its distinctive slender binding and black-and-white cover.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Similar to the Michelin Guide for restaurants, Forbes’ anonymous inspectors rate and reviews luxury hotels, helping travelers discover distinctive destinations around the world.—
Drew Jackson,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
The couples and connections that formed also became beloved by viewers, especially for the reunion of Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who ultimately won that season.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
Yes, the setting is shockingly similar to those in the beloved HBO comedy series, complete with a midcentury house and plenty of real-life influencers.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
3 Aug. 2019
-
Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.—
Johannes Himmelreich,
BostonGlobe.com,
30 Mar. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Special.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/special. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
