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case

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of case

1 something that encloses another thing especially to protect it

  • those binoculars come with their own case
Synonyms of case

armor, capsule, casing, cocoon, cover, covering, encasement, housing, hull, husk, jacket, pod, sheath, shell
Words Related to case

cartridge, cassette (also casette)

bark, crust

carapace, house, mail, panoply, plate, plating, shield

cuticle, hide, skin

envelope, package, wrapper

backing, coating, coverture, facing

2 a covered rectangular container for storing or transporting things

  • a handy little cosmetics case that matches the rest of her luggage
Synonyms of case

bin, box, caddy, casket, chest, locker, trunk
Words Related to case

carton, crate

footlocker, locker, sea chest

coffer, lockbox, safe, safe-deposit box, strongbox

coffin

compartment, vault

canteen

caisson, hope chest

minaudière

bandbox, hatbox, jewel box, snuffbox, tinderbox

Synonym Discussion of case

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.
    • an instance of history repeating itself
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
illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.
    • a telling illustration of Murphy's Law
example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.
    • a typical example of bureaucratic waste
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
specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.
    • one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art
2

case

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of case

1 an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment

  • her doctor wishes that all of his cases were as cooperative as she is
Synonyms of case

patient
Words Related to case

inpatient, outpatient

rehabilitant

sufferer, victim

convalescent, nursling

2 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 of case

example, exemplar, exemplification, illustration, instance, prototype, representative, sample, specimen
Words Related to case

archetype, classic, locus classicus, paradigm

cross section, microcosm

evidence, indication, manifestation, sign
Phrases Synonymous with case

case in point

3 something that actually exists

  • this has never been the case before
Synonyms of case

actuality, fact, materiality, reality
Words Related to case

certainty, inevitability

circumstance, event, occurrence, phenomenon

element, item, particular, thing
Near Antonyms of case

eventuality, possibility, potentiality, probability
Antonyms of case

fantasy (also phantasy), fiction, illusion

4 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 of case

account, accounting, argument, explanation, rationale, reason
Words Related to case

alibi, apologia, apology, defense, excuse, justification, vindication

appeal, plea

guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationalization

5 a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder

  • a young boy suffering from a case of chicken pox
Synonyms of case

access, attack, bout, fit, seizure, siege, spell, turn
Words Related to case

recurrence, relapse

brainstorm, convulsion, eclampsia, pang, paroxysm, spasm, throe

agitation, frenzy

breakdown, collapse, prostration
Near Antonyms of case

arrest, relief, remission

6 something that might happen

  • it may be the case that the cause of the fire will forever remain a mystery
Synonyms of case

contingence, contingency, contingent, event, eventuality, possibility
Words Related to case

probability

accident, chance, hap, hazard, risk

7 something that requires thought and skill for resolution

  • that's a tough case to solve
Synonyms of case

challenge, knot, matter, nut, problem, trouble
Words Related to case

issue, question

corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, mire, pickle, predicament, quagmire, spot

crux, Gordian knot, sticky wicket, toughie (also toughy)

catch-22, dilemma, quandary

catch, glitch, hitch, pitfall, snag

conundrum, enigma, mystery, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle

brainteaser, poser, stumper
Near Antonyms of case

magic bullet, silver bullet

cure-all, panacea
Antonyms of case

answer, solution

Synonym Discussion of case

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.
    • an instance of history repeating itself
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
illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.
    • a telling illustration of Murphy's Law
example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.
    • a typical example of bureaucratic waste
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
specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.
    • one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Learn More about case

  1. See words that rhyme with case Dictionary: Definition of case Medical Dictionary: Definition of case Spanish Central: Translation of case Nglish: Translation of case for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of case for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about case

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