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case

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noun (2)

1
as in patient
an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment her doctor wishes that all of his cases were as cooperative as she is

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in example
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like this is a perfect case of people jumping to the wrong conclusion before all the facts are known

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act you'll get a chance to make your case, but unless you're very convincing, your request will be denied

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6
as in possibility
something that might happen it may be the case that the cause of the fire will forever remain a mystery

Synonyms & Similar Words

7

case

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word case distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of case are example, illustration, instance, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When would example be a good substitute for case?

While in some cases nearly identical to case, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When is it sensible to use illustration instead of case?

While the synonyms illustration and case are close in meaning, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When could instance be used to replace case?

Although the words instance and case have much in common, instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

In what contexts can sample take the place of case?

The meanings of sample and case largely overlap; however, sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

When might specimen be a better fit than case?

The synonyms specimen and case are sometimes interchangeable, but specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

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 case
Noun
In those cases, the court has ordered a judge to be removed and barred from judicial office for a number of years. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 11 Nov. 2025 To balance their regular caseload, Landrum said Moore police detectives passed the baton to the US Marshals, who specialized in tracking criminals across state lines and solving cold cases. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
As technology becomes more sophisticated and third-party vendors offer everything from billing to case management to remote reception, running a small but competitive practice is more viable than ever. Liane Jackson, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Some theories have posited that the silicone casing on implants can cause an inflammatory response, and last year, a comprehensive review of studies suggested a potential link to breast infections related to implants. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for case
Recent Examples of Synonyms for case
Verb
  • Bring sides of foil up and over loaf, then fold and crimp edges to fully enclose.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Compost bins should be enclosed.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Napoli said dueling dinosaurs, which is still partially encased in rock, has many more secrets to spill.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The attack led to the museum’s decision to encase the Mona Lisa behind protective glass.
    Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • McCarty was the only trainee in his class who also had to figure out how to adapt the demanding routine in a way that fit his disability.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In a back lot at Dodge Memorial County Park, a deputy spotted a car fitting that description.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Residents of Mountain Village, the European-style town that encompasses the Telluride ski resort, on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a 5% lift-ticket tax to help fund the construction, maintenance and operation of the iconic gondola that connects the mountain with the town of Telluride.
    Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
  • So everything about that, which was also what was so indelible and so pleasurable about that, was also what the big challenge was, encompassing all that.
    Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The charter revisions will lead to more housing and more types of housing in low-density neighborhoods, which is housing the city needs.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
  • After the investigation was published, 26 Democratic members of Congress, including a handful from California, sent a letter to Becerra demanding answers about how the Office of Refugee Resettlement, housed in his department, was operating and tracking children released from its care.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The provocation was at once playful and serious—a way of challenging his audience to stretch toward him rather than accommodating them.
    Ross Benjamin, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The information provided to the committee alleges a series of remarkable steps taken to accommodate Maxwell after she was quietly transferred to a medium-security facility in Texas shortly after her meeting with Blanche.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Case.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/case. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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