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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
The goal is to push victims to click a link and enter login details. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026 Exact character details for Light are being kept under wraps. Joe Otterson, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Lösch did not detail what prompted the change in the organization's stance. ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026 The White House on Tuesday detailed its counteroffer to congressional Democrats in negotiations to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down for more than four weeks, leading to long lines at some airports. Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
  • That office belongs to Centurion Superior Medical LLC, one of two medical supply companies tied to Nika Machutadze, a Russian citizen accused of rapidly submitting high‑volume Medicare claims for items patients never ordered or received.
    Brian New, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Brown touted progressive bona fides of her own while zeroing in on environmental justice as a key agenda item.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In fact, all five of the teams entered Tuesday at least 14 games above.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
  • That’s despite the fact that his campaign also took in money from AIPAC and UDP donors last year.
    Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Create a safe place to practice independence so that the inevitable detachment from you is not too difficult, suggests Miller.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
  • One of the main causes of floaters is posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD, which occurs when the shrinking vitreous gel pulls away from the retina entirely.
    Cathy Nelson, Health, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile Angie is class president, has won a full scholarship to college, stars in the school musicals, has two jobs; no drugs, alcohol or smoking.
    R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
  • That includes donations from the labor union for air traffic controllers, whose jobs are not impacted by this partial shutdown but who understand the strain of working without pay from full government closures.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 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
  • Your discerning side notices details others miss, so name what works and what hurts before proposing adjustments that would fix the latter.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
  • About 15 minutes later, another 911 call comes in from a woman named Jane Kowalski, who sees Denise Lee slapping the back window of King's car and hears her screaming for help.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The airline confirmed the incident and said a preliminary manifest listed 72 passengers and four crew members on board at the time of the collision.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Several, including three hospices that billed Medicare, still listed his name or phone number in databases maintained by state and federal regulators.
    Jason Henry, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Analysts say Iran still has room to escalate further, through drones that are difficult to intercept, fast and agile patrol boats, and cyberattacks.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Almost $25 billion in funding is now flowing to the agency, which is buying 38 new large vessels, including 17 icebreakers; 40 helicopters; six patrol airplanes, along with two G700Gulfstream executive jets, the purchase of which drew sharp condemnation from Democratic lawmakers.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

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