1
as in item
a separate part in a list, account, or series
every detail was accounted for
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fact
a single piece of information
didn't leave out a single detail in his police report on the burglary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
as in job
a specific task with which a person or group is charged
the soldier was placed on guard detail at the border crossing
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to name
to pick (someone) by one's authority for a specific position or duty
the new assistant was detailed to accompany the boss on the business trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to list
to specify one after another
detailed all of the reasons that the plan was a bad idea
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
In the weeks since the Reiners' deaths and their son's arrest, details of his troubled history of addiction and mental illness have been revealed or otherwise resurfaced.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Shane also looks, moves, and sounds thoroughly autistic in a way that is different from the usual mode that Williams detailed.
—Sarah Kurchak, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detail
Noun
In a Truth Social post, the president offered few details.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
In the weeks since the Reiners' deaths and their son's arrest, details of his troubled history of addiction and mental illness have been revealed or otherwise resurfaced.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Officials have declined to detail how many immigration officers are deployed there.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Shane also looks, moves, and sounds thoroughly autistic in a way that is different from the usual mode that Williams detailed.
—Sarah Kurchak, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
-
The Council approved the item without discussion.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Re-home stray items from high-traffic areas to reduce clutter and stress.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, all five members are all still figuring out their lives and place in South Korea.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The death of the activist Renee Nicole Good at the hands of an immigration agent has been justified on the right in a fashionable tone of detachment.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
-
This article clarifies to us, without a doubt, that emotional safety is supposed to enable connection and self-regulation, not emotional detachment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But again, as of late, Jalen has been doing a great job of making plays for us.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The TikTok guy will even teach you how to use the tools required for the job.—
Nolan Finley The Detroit News,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Smoothie stations ready to replenish calories as quickly as they’d been lost and golf carts stationed to ferry players to class.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is also stationed in Greenland.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There are Red Taylor, 1989 Taylor, and Debut Taylor, to name a few.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Corbis via Getty Images Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born on May 11, 1932 and named for the silent film star, Rudolph Valentino.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Per the Haslet city code, council members are entitled to a minimum of one item listed on each council meeting agenda, which the mayor is in charge of putting together.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
On Ticketmaster, playoff tickets were listed ranging from almost $500 to over $2,200.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
He was then run over by a patrol vehicle, video shows.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
According to the lawsuit, the Highway Patrol officer witnessed the incident, and it also was captured by a camera on the patrol cruiser.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
