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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
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 Photos captured by Florida photographer Jerry Pike showed a solid rocket motor casing on a ship just off the coast of Cape Canaveral. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Big Lebowski star, 75, stepped back from screen acting following a bout with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2020 and a serious case of COVID-19 shortly thereafter. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025 And the rise of insurance money in investing has created patient capital that in many cases fits those money holes better than blunter instruments. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for case
Recent Examples of Synonyms for case
Verb
  • Compared to the popular Cassia Lace Up option, the Cassia Nodo is more of a classic pump style, covering the sides of the foot and enclosing the heel.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Southern California Edison, the utility that operates the now-shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, has released to the public some 1,749 images taken by robotic cameras during inspections of canisters enclosed in casks that store radioactive waste at the plant.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The attack led to the museum’s decision to encase the Mona Lisa behind protective glass.
    Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The living room, encased in dark mahogany panelling, looked onto a drab alleyway filled with trash bins, and the apartment’s two floors were connected by a narrow spiral staircase that risked putting parents in mind of a broken neck.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The only player fitting the indictment’s description is Anthony Davis.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • When the shark measuring about 10 feet didn’t fit through the door, Mucerino and Burress got a bite of inspiration.
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Keweenaw National Historic Park encompasses both public and private sites throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula and features heritage sites from the area's copper mining history.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In their new roles, Bakx and Rotter will lead 885’s sports investment portfolio—encompassing Baller League, Blue Crow Sports Group and the Professional Fighters League—and help identify and scale new investment opportunities across the wider sports ecosystem.
    Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Reportedly, the company intends to reuse the fundamental robotic core — which houses the complex multimodal interaction and motion-control technology — to create a diverse range of new figures.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The company was founded by high school buddies Mark Warren and Chris Pence, who came together to start the business in 2012 and have since expanded into a 13,000-square-foot facility that houses a 20-person team.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The great infrastructure projects of the last century included airports, transnational highways, and deep water harbors that accommodated cargo containers.
    Bipul Sinha, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Gymshark and Nike alum Ronald Reijmers was named vice president of global retail to accommodate the restructure.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Case.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/case. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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