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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
Now, an upcoming book, The Windsor Legacy by Robert Jobson, is providing details on how the King reacted to not his diagnosis, but the disclosure of it. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Nov. 2025 No financial details were released. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
The black shoes were detailed with the designer brand's iconic motif in grey. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025 And that’s even before Lanthimos stages an endless montage detailing our species’ extinction. Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detail
Noun
  • At its New York flagship, Nordstrom has built a two-story area to showcase giftable items, with about 800 products that cost less than $100.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, this team found that even after the light from Type Ia supernovas was standardized, Type Ia supernovas from populations of younger stars were fainter than those belonging to older stellar populations.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In fact, the Cubs have never handed out a free agency deal worth over $200 million.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • With that being said, when Venus squares Pluto, the clash between emotional intensity (Scorpio) and intellectual detachment (Aquarius) is undeniable.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • So there’s some detachment from the alien source here.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Essentially, your job is to compile a paper trail that proves your chain of heritage going back to your grandparent is intact.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The head of the air traffic controllers union emphasized this week that the controllers were not walking off the job as part of an organized protest and were committed to their work.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Chen, a staff sergeant who served in the Armored Corps, had been stationed at the Gaza border on October 7.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Add Saturn stationing direct in Pisces and the first quarter moon for the win.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons and Kalmaegi made landfall as the equivalent of a category 2 hurricane – the 20th named storm to impact the country this year, according to local officials.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Two tipsters had told Carpenter that a man named Don Miller had stolen human remains and burial pieces from Native American graves along with other cultural artifacts from around the world.
    Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Loewen’s case is not listed in El Dorado Superior Court.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
  • The Eagles have officially listed Johnson as questionable to return with an ankle injury.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • During the search for Kenney, Charleston police deployed multiple resources, including K9 units, an underwater recovery team, the police’s unmanned aerial system team and harbor patrol.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Parlier is a patrol officer in district two and works on the department’s wellness team.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detail. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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