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Definition of detailnext
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as in detachment
a small military unit with a special task or function the officer sent out a detail to patrol the perimeter of the compound

Synonyms & Similar Words

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detail

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun detail contrast with its synonyms?

The words item and particular are common synonyms of detail. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

When could item be used to replace detail?

In some situations, the words item and detail are roughly equivalent. However, item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

When might particular be a better fit than detail?

While in some cases nearly identical to detail, particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

How does the noun detail contrast with its synonyms?

The words item and particular are common synonyms of detail. While all three words mean "one of the distinct parts of a whole," detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

leave the details to others

When could item be used to replace detail?

In some situations, the words item and detail are roughly equivalent. However, item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

every item on the list

When might particular be a better fit than detail?

While in some cases nearly identical to detail, particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

a description that included few particulars

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 detail
Noun
Jonas looks around, taking in every detail of the trees, sky and gravel. Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026 Investigators were still working to identify the man’s identity and a possible motive for the attack, said the person who could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Corey Williams, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Grace detailed her thoughts about the case that has riveted Americans as part of her opening keynote conversation Friday at Variety’s inaugural True Crime Summit at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026 The news came after a dizzying five days of developments related to the $1,500-a-seat pop-up that Redzepi announced last summer and was sparked after a Saturday report in the New York Times detailing past allegations of abuse in the restaurant’s kitchen in Denmark. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
  • The unexpected surge in business forced him to go back and forth from his warehouse to the shop two to three times a day to restock items.
    Angela Osorio, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • They were placed in handcuffs and put in the back of a car while FBI agents searched their home and took items such as computers, cell phones and some paper documents, according to the newspaper.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Moreover, another sign of trouble is the fact that there are currently no states with an average gas price under $3 per gallon.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 11 Mar. 2026
  • In fact, Adebayo’s 83-point night is the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But Rossellini looks at it with a certain detachment, almost with gratitude rather than pride.
    Monica Coviello, Vanity Fair, 8 Mar. 2026
  • In the note, Washington assigns De Hart to the command of a detachment to patrol an area around Paramus, New Jersey.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The expansion also supports job growth, with the company now employing over 2,200 people across the state.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Your first childhood dream job was… A doctor like my mom or an archeologist like Indiana Jones.
    Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • He was killed in a strike on a Basij combat tent, where he was stationed with other Basij commanders.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Last year, the US Navy decommissioned its four dedicated minesweepers that were stationed in the Persian Gulf.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Mohammad Pakpour, the most recent IRGC chief, was among those killed during the opening salvo, and it’s believed that Ahmad Vahidi, who had been named deputy chief in December, has taken the reins.
    Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Herro had played in nine straight games and was just named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday before being ruled out for Tuesday’s game because of left quad soreness.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Its website lists clients like Trampled by Turtles, the Jayhawks, Hippo Campus and … the Gillyweeds.
    Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 17 Mar. 2026
  • McDonald is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center, according to the jail’s inmate listing.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Lewis said Munir is a patrol supervisor with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.
    Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Lifeguards on patrol discovered a 10-by-10-foot section of bluff had collapsed along Camino Del Mar near Del Mar’s Dog Beach, officials said.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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