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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

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
The Navy and park service declined to provide details of those permitted to take such excursions. Jim Mustian, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 These details have not been confirmed. Lauren Victory, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Verb
The link in the tweet led me to a highly technical report detailing an Android 16 VPN bypass. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 From unexpected textures and fringe detailing to bold prints, bubble hems, asymmetric draping and full-on maximalist flourishes, this season’s statement midi skirts bring a playful charge to 9-to-5 dressing. Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
  • Now imagine moving millions of items, each of them delicate, unique, priceless and old.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • When occupancy is lower, the evening happy hour takes place in the lobby lounge, but does not skimp on the buffet spread of hot and cold items, enough for dinner for many people.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • With Balanchine—whose brush with Bradley came after his precocious beginnings with the Ballets Russes but before his immigration to America and eventual founding of New York City Ballet—Footer pushes hard on not much more than the fact that the two choreographers shared dancers and proclivities.
    Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
  • But Imai is both, a fact the Astros must face head-on.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • This wonderful, glorious detachment.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
  • If The House is Burning captured the joie de vivre of reclaiming your life after years of disassociation and detachment, IT’S BEEN AWFUL depicts the excruciating process of living with your eyes wide open, of holding up the mirror to your face and not looking away.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Further declines in home prices would deepen the hit to household balance sheets, said Lizzi Lee, a fellow at Center for China Analysis, noting that the property downturn has already inflicted significant job losses across construction and related sectors.
    Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 May 2026
  • One candidate ran as a fervent booster, arguing that Atlantic Yards would bring jobs and housing to the area.
    Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Still, Mercury’s square to Pluto on May 5 — especially with Pluto stationing retrograde the next day — could expose toxic workplace dynamics, power struggles or outdated professional ambitions that need to be re-evaluated.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
  • This aerial view shows a boat heading toward the port from the cruise ship MV Hondius, stationed off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 6, 2026.
    Barbara Booth, CNBC, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • The right-back was likely to feature in coach Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, which is being named on May 22, but the door has now creaked open for one of his rivals for that position — and specifically Trent Alexander-Arnold.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Around a century ago, in New York, a white starlet named Irene Delroy got a hot tip from her maid, who was Black.
    Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Players are not ranked within their sub-tier and are listed alphabetically.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 18 May 2026
  • Ferrell then began naming some of the great songs written by McCartney over the years, drawing out the bit by listing 17 Beatles, Wings and McCartney hits.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • Rhiannon Marie Rodriguez, 44 of Leavenworth, died in the crash on southbound Interstate 35 at Lone Elm Road in Olathe, according to the highway patrol’s initial crash log.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
  • Forestry Commission officials cautioned that fuel conditions remain extremely dry, and crews are still actively engaged in patrol, suppression and mop-up operations on both fires.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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